First Congregational Church of Cheshire

Section Leaders | Patricia Barbano | Paul Laurence Fletcher

Section Leaders

Our Section Leaders are professionally trained singers who assist Joe and help to support the Senior Choir with their voices and musicianship. Many amateur and church choirs make use of such assistance.

We are fortunate to have two very experienced and talented section leaders: Patricia Barbano, soprano, a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, and Paul Fletcher, baritone, a graduate of the Hartt School at the University of Hartford. And as a bonus, Paul's wife Jessica, a trained alto, will be singing with us as well this year! All three will be around at coffee hours - introduce yourself and say hi!

Patricia Barbano, soprano

Patricia Barbano, Soprano, Choir Section Leader

Recently returning to her native state of Connecticut after six years of living and performing in Europe, Patricia Barbano, soprano, was featured in the Berlin, Germany World Premier Production of Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame. Ms. Barbano also sang with the Berlin production of CATS as well as concerts throughout Germany. Prior to her credits abroad, Patricia had performed a variety of opera and musical theater roles in the United States. Patricia is most fond of her work with Children's Theater, touring the East and West Coasts bringing Opera for Young Audiences and favorite children's books to life. Ms. Barbano made her professional stage directing debut while completing her Masters Degree in Opera performance at John Hopkins Peabody Conservatory. Currently the soprano soloist at First Congregational Church in Cheshire, Ms. Barbano is also an experienced voice teacher, and a member of Actor's Equity. She resides in Branford with her husband and daughter.

Paul Laurence Fletcher, baritone

Paul Laurence Fletcher, baritone, Choir Section Leader

Working in an unusually diverse range of genres from opera and oratorio to musical theater, Mr. Fletcher performs with leading ensembles throughout Connecticut and in neighboring states, appearing as a featured soloist with Orchestra New England, The American Classical Orchestra, and the New Haven Symphony. Recent solo engagements include the title role in Mendelssohn's Elijah with Stonington Choral Society, Mozart's Coronation Mass, and Dvorak's Mass in D with The Greater Middletown Chorale. Mr. Fletcher is a member of Actors' Equity, and recently performed the role of Jacob in readings of the musical Fair Liberty's Call at Theatre 315, New York City. In 2003 he performed the role of Rytas in the The Freely Given at Lambs' Theatre, Times Square. He has also appeared with Downtown Cabaret Theatre, Theatre on the Green, Hartford Stage and Shubert Opera. He is an honors graduate of Abilene Christian University and won a full graduate opera scholarship to The Hartt School where he earned his Master's in Voice.