About Us
The NorthCountry Singers are a choir composed of people who love to sing and who live within driving distance of Ely, Minnesota.
Founded as the Babbitt Community Choir in 2004, the name was changed in 2007 to reflect the expansion of our membership beyond Babbitt. The choir currently has over 30 members from in and around Ely, Babbitt, and Embarrass, Minnesota.
The choir performs two concerts a year: at Christmas time and on Palm Sunday weekend. We also sing incidently at other celebrations in the area.
If you love to sing and would like to join us, please click here to contact us. Reading music is not really required because a practice CD with your part prominent is provided. You will learn about singing and musicality and we promise you will have fun! You will also get to know a wonderful group of people.
Learning your part is your responsibility outside of rehearsal. Rehearsal time is used to enhance our sound and become more musical, not to bang out notes (although we do that sometimes!). We do hold at least one sectional rehearsal per concert cycle. Each choir member pays for and keeps their music.
Currently, rehearsals are Saturday 3-5 pm in Babbitt and Tuesday 7-9 pm in Ely. Singers may attend either or both rehearsals.
Director Irene Hartfield graduated from Ely Memorial High School and majored in music at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. After being hired as part of musical ensemble based on the East coast, she eventually ended up in New York City where she enjoyed a career as pop singer and pianist, playing with the Irene Hartfield Trio in the New York metro area and elsewhere.
Irene also worked as a studio singer, player, arranger and producer for jingles (sung advertisements) and recordings.
After retiring from the music business but while still in New York, Irene sang with the New York Choral Society in such venues as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and served briefly on their Board.
In 1996, Irene moved to the Twin Cities, Minnesota area where she was a founding member and alto section leader of Exultate Chamber Ensemble, directed by Dr. Thomas Rossin. Exultate has released recordings of major choral works and many wonderful Christmas collections. Irene was soloist on Ceremony of Carols and Rejoice in the Lamb by Benjamin Britten, the Bach Magnificat, and the Mozart Requiem.
In 2002, Irene returned to northern Minnesota where she persues her web design business and is Director of Music for First Lutheran Church in Ely, Minnesota.
Irene has a recording of original songs entitled The Blue Period available for sale at Music Outfitters. More information on Irene as musician and singer may be found on her website IreneHartfield.com.