Connecticut State Troubadour Explained

The Connecticut State Troubadour is an honorary position, established in 1991 by the Connecticut General Assembly. The State Troubadour functions as an ambassador of music and song and promotes cultural literacy among Connecticut citizens.^[1] It began as an annual position, in 1999 was changed to a two-year appointment,^[2] and in 2018 was changed to a three-year appointment;^[3] it carries a $5,000 total stipend. The responsibilities of the position include performing at least three events at the request of the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, promoting the state in song, and serving on panels to select future state troubadours.^[4]

Post holders

• Tom Callinan - 1991-1992
• Sandy and Caroline Paton - 1993
• Phil Rosenthal - 1994
• Bill Pere - 1995^[5]
• Mike Kachuba - 1996
• Sally Rogers (singer) - 1997
• Jeff and Synia McQuillan - 1998
• Hugh Blumenfeld - 1999-2000
• Kevin Briody - 2001-2002
• Dennis Waring - 2003-2004
• Thomasina Levy - 2005-2006^[6]
• Pierce Campbell - 2007-2008^[1]
• Lara Herscovitch - 2009-2010^[7]
• Chuck Costa - 2011-2012^[8]
• Kristen Graves - 2013-2015 ^[9]
• Kate Callahan - 2016-2018 ^[10]
• Nekita Waller - 2018-2021 ^[11]
• Kala Farnham - 2022-2025 ^[12]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Connecticut State Troubadour . 10 May 2007 . Docker . Susan . Arts Division . Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism.
2. [Connecticut General Statutes]
3. Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development Web site: Department of Economic Community Development.
4. Web site: State Troubadour Selection Process . 10 May 2007 . Docker . Susan . Arts Division. Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism.
5. http://www.billpere.com/LyricFolder/BackStories/USS_Connecticut_story.htm "USS Connecticut Song Backstory"
6. Web site: Thomasina Levy, CT State Troubadour 2005/2006 . 10 May 2007 . Arts Division- Performing Artists . Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism.
7. Web site: Lara Herscovitch, CT State Troubadour 2009-2010 . 1 January 2009 . Arts Division- Performing Artists . Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism.
8. Web site: State Symbols: The State Troubador - Chuck E. Costa . ConneCTKids . State of Connecticut . 15 March 2011 . 15 September 2011.
9. Web site: Kristen Graves, Connecticut's 15th State Troubadour . 9 June 2013 . Arts Division- Performing Artists . Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism.
10. Web site: Connecticut State Troubadour for 2016 - 2018 is Kate Callahan . 7 June 2016 . Connecticut Office of Culture & Tourism.
11. Web site: Connecticut State Troubadour for 2018 - 2021 is Nekita Waller . 21 June 2018 . Connecticut Office of Culture & Tourism.
12. News: DaRosa . Andrew . CT's new state troubadour Kala Farnham bridges mental health, music . CT Insider . 2022-07-28 . 2023-03-06.