The Skagit Valley Chorale

Support Staff

Mrs. Janet Skones Hitt - Conductor

Janet began her music education and exposure to choral music at a very early age. Attending performances and rehearsals by her fathers choirs were among her first memories. She reminisces often of sitting with her sister, brother, mom and dad in church, singing hymns together with the congregation at Trinity Lutheran Church near the PLU campus.

Upon graduation from high school, Janet took a leave from formal music for about six years to have and raise her two children, John and Rachel. The kids still remember their mom sitting at the piano for hours at a time playing and singing, especially at nap time. Once both John and Rachel were in school, she had an inner calling to return to her roots and enrolled at Seattle Pacific University as music major where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in music education. Since her graduation she has done post graduate work at both the University of Arizona and the University of Washington.

Janet has taught in the Everett School District for the past twenty five years. She is perhaps best known for her work at Jackson High School where she developed an award winning and nationally recognized choir program. She has worked as an honor choir clinician and adjudicates throughout the state for both large group and solo ensemble festivals. Janet is into her eighth season of directing the Skagit Valley Choral. The chorale boasts a membership of over one hundred and thirty and is known for its high level of performance of major choral works such as the Mozart Requiem and Handel's Messiah.

Janet is known for her passion and love of choral music and her ability to inspire and instill that same passion and love in those around her. She often speaks of he late father, Maurice Skones as being such an inspiration to her and to those who sang under him. Janet has carried on the family tradition.

Donovan Salt--Assistant Conductor

Donovan Salt holds a Bachelors of Music Education degree from Walla Walla College. He is a member of the VoiceCare Network and studied voice with its founder, Leon Thurman. He has taught high school band, choir, and voice. He has directed church choirs and taught private voice lessons and was music director for a production of Anything Goes.

Donovan has sung with the Dale Warland Symphonic Chorus, including performances of Mahler's 8th with the Minnesota Orchestra and Durufle's Requiem with Robert Shaw directing. He sang in a performance of the Berlioz' Requiem with the Robert Shaw Festival Chorus in Carnegie Hall. As a member of the Santa Barbara Choral Society he was part of a Koch label recording of Villa-Lobos' Symphony No. 10, and was a chorus member on stage with Sarah Brightman in her Santa Barbara performance of the La Luna world tour.

He has performed the baritone solos in Dubois' The Seven Last Words of Christ and the Messiah with Andrews University. In his third year as a member of the Skagit Valley Chorale, he has also served as guest conductor and as baritone soloist in Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle, Mozart's Requiem, and Handel's Messiah.

“Ensemble music both requires and helps to create community. Choral music is especially adept in expressing transcendent and spiritual themes, and transforms and elevates performers and listeners. It is a joy and an honor to be involved”.

Cheri Cook-Blodgett - Accompanist

Cheri Cook-Blodgett has served as the accompanist for the Chorale since 1987. She brings to her position a strong sensitivity to the various musical styles performed by the group, and a true understanding of the role of the accompanist in a choral organization. Always up for any challenge, she has been featured in a number of our concerts as a solo performer and has accompanied the Chorale on piano, organ and synthesizer. Cheri also enjoys working with chamber groups, solo instrumentalists and vocalists, in musical styles ranging from classics to jazz, and frequently plays at weddings, musical theater and other events.