Kathleen Otterson, Artistic Director
Kathleen Otterson’s interest in Johann Sebastian Bach took root in high school when her flute teacher set her the task of learning the B minor Flute Sonata, and continued through her undergraduate years as a flute major at UW-Madison. In graduate school, it flourished under the baton of UW choral director Robert Fountain and the tutelage of voice professor Ilona Kombrink, to name a few. Singing as alto soloist in Bach’s choral works has been a great joy in Kathleen’s professional singing life, as has conducting them, including Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott for the 500th anniversary celebration of the German Reformation in 2017.
Previous organizational experience includes state and regional leadership in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and the Board of Directors of the Madison Youth Choirs. She is currently president of the Isthmus Vocal Ensemble Board and a longtime member of the group. For more details about Kathleen’s background and experience, click here. Kathleen adds: “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of Marika Fischer Hoyt – a friend and musical collaborator – as Artistic Director of Bach Around The Clock. Together with the Board, we will strive to build upon the strong foundation Marika established.”
Board of Directors 2024-25
Ken Stancer, Interim President is the Music Director and Organist at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Madison. He teaches piano at the Monroe Street Arts Center and also teaches private organ and recorder. Ken recently retired from elementary classroom music teaching after 33 years.
Martha Florey, Secretary is an amateur musician playing saxophone and double reeds in local concert and jazz bands, and in the Third Lake Saxophone Quartet. Now retired from WisDOT, Martha trained as a lawyer and served as officer, analyst and educator in various state and national safety data analysis organizations.
Janet Murphy, Treasurer holds two degrees in musicology, and has worked in music education, arts administration, manuscript writing, and concert promotion. She enjoys playing half a dozen diverse instruments not very well. She is retired from a career in nursing.
Mark Brampton Smith holds degrees in Organ Performance from the Eastman School of Music (Russell Saunders) and the University of Michigan (organ – Robert Glasgow, harpsichord – Ed Parmentier). Currently the organist at Grace Episcopal Church, Madison, Mark has served on the music staff of churches in seven states.
Steve Kurr is a music instructor at Middleton High School, teaching the three school orchestras, music history courses, and serving as the Instructional Leader for the Fine Arts Department. He is Founding Conductor Emeritus for the Middleton Community Orchestra and conducts the Opus One ensemble at the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras.
Rich Samuels is a host of classical music programming on Madison’s radio station,WORT, and does audio recording of many musical ensemble performances in Madison. Now retired, Renaissance and Reformation were his academic interests, and television journalism was his profession.
Jaret Schroeder is employed in the sciences and is a large supporter of music in Madison. He serves as the organist at St. Paul’s Catholic Student Center. Jaret enjoys getting students involved and engaged in the rich traditions of sacred liturgical music in the Church. Jaret is also a member of the Association of Church Musicians.
Betty Cohen, Past President is an amateur recorder player with The Neighborly Consort, Regent Recorders, and Winds of Southern Wisconsin. Now retired, her career included management positions in public health and academic librarianship.She served as BATC president from 2018-2024.