What kind of singer should audition for the Richmond Symphony Chorus? Our members come from a wide range of musical backgrounds. Some are experienced soloists or work professionally as music educators or choir directors, and many are dedicatedamateur choral musicianswho have previously sung with other school, community, church, or college choirs.If you love choral music and feel you have a good ear, a confident voice, and familiarity with reading choral music and notation, we encourage you to audition! Previous choral experience is expectedof our members. What kind of music does the Chorus perform? The Chorus performs the classical choral-orchestral repertoire typically found on symphony programs. Recent performances have included beloved historical compositions like Handel's Messiah, the Verdi Requiem, Mahler's Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection," Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Orff's Carmina Burana, and many more. We also perform exciting contemporary choral-orchestral compositions, including works by Mason Bates, Zachary Wadsworth, Roxanna Panufnik, Damien Geter, and others. In addition, we participate in Christmas Pops programs and occasionally perform other popular music, and symphonic genres such as movie and video game scores. The Chorus also presents concerts on its own, featuring repertoire that ranges from choral classics to contemporary choral compositions. When and where does the Chorus rehearse? Rehearsals are scheduled around the Richmond Symphony’s choral programming. The season typically runs from late August through early December, then resumes after the New Year and continues into April or May. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings (7:00–9:30 p.m.) at Epiphany Lutheran Church, with some concert-week rehearsals at the Dominion Energy Center. Additional weeknight rehearsals and Saturday dress rehearsals may occur during performance weeks. Complimentary parking is available. How often does the Chorus perform? We typically participate in two to four concerts per season with the Richmond Symphony in their Symphony Series, Pops, and Metro programs, including Messiah/Holiday Pops. Are there any paid positions with the Chorus? While membership is through audition, all Chorus members are volunteers. Each member receives one or two complimentary tickets to a performance in which they participate. For rehearsals and performances, members can take advantage of vouchers for free parking at a nearby deck (at 5th and Marshall Streets, behind the Marriott Hotel). Is music provided or do I need to purchase it? Music is provided, but members often have the option of purchasing their scores. Members must provide their own black music folder for performances. What is the rehearsal attendance policy? Members are expected to attend all rehearsals. We recognize, however, that occasional absences due to work obligations, family commitments, or illness may be unavoidable. If a member’s absences become excessive, they may be required either to attend all remaining rehearsals or to withdraw from the affected performances and rejoin rehearsals afterward. Attendance at the conductor’s piano dress rehearsal (usually the last piano rehearsal) and the final orchestra dress rehearsal are requiredtoparticipate in a concert.
