Richard Chiarappa, founding music director of the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra, will be retiring after he conducts ‘A Grand Finale’ on May 17, 2026.

The West Hartford Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Richard Chiarappa. Courtesy photo (we-ha.com file photo)

By Ronni Newton

After 23 years of directing the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the maestro will conduct his grand finale concert on May 17. 2026.

Richard Chiarappa – who has been the music director and conductor of the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra since its founding nearly a quarter century ago – is retiring after “A Grand Finale,” the pops concert that will close out the WHSO’s 23rd season. The concert will be held on May 17, 2026, in the auditorium at Northwest Catholic High School, 29 Wampanoag Drive, West Hartford, beginning at 3 p.m.

Chiarappa, who also taught music at Kingswood Oxford School until his retirement in 2023, co-founded the nonprofit WHSO with local resident Jim Killian, launching the first season in 2002-2003. During the orchestra’s past 23 seasons, audiences have been treated to an outstanding variety of musical performances, including classical, holiday, patriotic, pops, and more. Local soloists as well as guests from all over the world have joined the WHSO throughout the years.

“Well, the time has come,” Chiarappa said. “For 23 years I have proudly and lovingly remained the music director and conductor of the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra thanks to the wonderful members of this orchestra, and now it is time for a new face with new ideas.”

Before announcing the new music director and officially turning over his baton at the concert, Chiarappa will be joined in the celebration of “A Grand Finale” by eight special talented people who have performed with the WHSO over the years. “Our audiences through the seasons have seen and heard Ray and Kate Hardman, Christopher Stone and Sheri Ziccardi, Steve Mitchell and Louise Fauteux, Abby White and David Baker on our various stages at Town Hall, Kingswood Oxford School, and more recently Northwest Catholic High School. Three of them were colleagues of mine at Kingswood Oxford while one was first a student of mine and later a fellow faculty member,” he said.

The guests will perform a wide range of music – ranging pieces from the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet and a drinking song from Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata. The pops concert will also include music from Land of Smiles, an operetta by Franz Lehar, and the lovely “Stranger in Paradise” from the musical Kismet.

“Speaking of musical theater, included is a love song from my musical Lincoln and Booth and a sorrowful love song from the popular and famous Les Mis,” said Chiarappa. “There will be a tribute to the music of Henry Mancini and also a tribute to our troops in acknowledgement of Armed Forces Day by highlighting ‘America the Beautiful.'”

Tickets to “A Grand Finale” on May 17 are available online at whso.org, by calling 860-521-4362, or in the lobby on the day of the performance. General admission is $20, and tickets for seniors and students are $15. Children under 12 are admitted free.

Richard Chiarappa will conduct “The Grand Finale” on May 17, 2026. Courtesy image

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