Meet Holy Cross’s Pamela Getnick
By Dani Tifft

Pamela Getnick is the sort of woman about whom inspiring dramatic films are written. Two years ago, she left Smith College to direct The Holy Cross Choir and Chamber singing ensembles ~ and for the first time since the 80s the choral program is attracting international attention as it prepares to tour in Italy this coming May. Getnick, who studied conducting at Yale, earned an undergraduate degree from Princeton and a graduate degree from the Hartt School of Music, teaches a new course in Vocal Music entitled Introduction to Music and Song Through the Ages. While serious about her teaching, Getnick’s true passion lies outside of the classroom in the choral programs she directs, hoping to inspire students and giving them the skills necessary to harness “…healthy, varied vocal techniques so that they can attack many types of music.” A singer herself, Getnick is shy about taking too much credit for students’ talent. “The students here are really talented and {my} job is merely to facilitate empower students to develop as independent musicians.” Since she joined the Holy Cross staff, the choral department has really come out of the woodwork and is making great strides towards achieving its goal of national recognition. And Pamela Getnick has to be willing to take credit for at least some of that success!