Calling all singers!
“Oh, I’m not really a singer you say, I just really like to sing when the hymns come in church, or “I haven’t been in choir since school…”, or you only sing in the shower. Then again, maybe you are a seriously trained singer, with the keenest of ears and truest of voices, looking for a group to really challenge you…
At all levels and in many different styles of music, there are choirs that would love to have you sing with them! This post is the second installment of our series on how to get involved in community music (Part I listed the local community orchestras).
I must first acknowledge that when it comes to choirs, there is already a great resource for our area: The Greater Rochester Choral Consortium, a joint project of 28 choirs, which maintains a schedule of concerts and other resources for singers. Check them out. Also, it would be impossible to cover all of the church choirs in our region, so I have not listed any of them.
If there is a group that you know about that I forget to list: get in touch, either by leaving a comment or sending an email to classical@wxxi.org, and I’ll add it to the list (I’m trying not to leave anyone out, but it is bound to happen!).
The Brockport College-Community Chorus
Brian Clickner, director
Contact Brian Clickner via email for more information.
Chinese Choral Society of Rochester
Ming-Lun Lee,conductor
Send in the online form if you are interested in joining.
The Chorus of the Genesee
Rehearsals: Tuesday nights, at the Harmony House, 58 E. Main Street, Webster
Contact Lee Shepter, VP of Chapter Development to learn about joining the chorus (585) 698-5391 or lshepter@hotmail.com
Concentus Women’s Chorus
Gwedolyn Gassler, director
Rehearsals:
To audition, contact Gwedolyn Gassler
Eastman-Rochester Chorus
William Weinert, conductor
Rehearsals: Tuesday evenings
For audition information, contact erc@esm.rochester.edu or call 585-274-1444
Finger Lakes Choral Festival
Rehearsals: Wednesdays and selected Mondays, May-July
Register to participate by calling (585) 465-0838 or by emailing fingerlakeschoral@earthlink.net
First Inversion
Lee Wright, Artistic Director
Rehearsals: Varies by concert
Arrange an audition by contacting Lee Wright, leewright@firstinversion.org
Genesee Harmonic Society (Choir of the Genesee Country Village & Museum)
Open to the public, contact Marisa Covert for more information: mcovert@gcv.org
Genesee Valley Orchestra & Chorus
Christopher Petit, Music Director
Rehearsals: Thursday nights, 7-9pm, Johanna Perrin Middle School, Fairport
Auditions heard by appointment, contact Dr. Christopher Petit, 223-9006 or info@gvoc.org
Grace Choir
Lon Beery, director
Rehearsals: Tuesday nights (Rochester) or Thursday nights (Mendon), 7pm-9pm
New members welcome, contact MendonGospelChoir@hotmail.com
Greece Choral Society
Rollo Fisher, conductor
Auditions will be held in the fall. Contact Dr. Rollo Fisher @ rollo.fisher@gmail.com or 850-320-5317 for further information.
Irondequoit Chorale
Eric Trumpowsky, Music Director
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 7:15-9:30pm, Irondequoit United Church of Christ, 644 Titus Ave
Contact Chorale President Heide Jorgensen-Murray for more info: (585) 266-5018 for more info.
The Lyric Chorale
Chrisanne Gates, director
Rehearsals: Mondays, 7-9pm,
Auditions may be scheduled by appointment. Contact Chris at (585)478-0778 or yulecmusicnme@rochester.rr.com.
Madrigalia
Cary Ratcliff, Artistic Director
Rehearsals: Sunday evenings
Audition opportunities and information available here
Musica Spei
Rehearsals: Monday evenings, 7:30-9:30pm, St. Anne Church, Rochester
Auditions held in September and January, request an audition through the online form
Oasis Community Chorus
Contact Rochester Oasis for more information
Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus
Robert Strauss, Artistic Director
Rehearsals: Thursdays, 7-9:30pm, Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 Fitzhugh Street, Rochester
Email Robert at rstrauss@thergmc.org to schedule an appointment for a voice placement.
Rochester Oratorio Society
Eric Townell, artistic director
Rehearsals: Monday nights
Arrange an audition by contacting the ROS Office: (585) 473-2234 or info@ROSsings.org
Rochester Rhapsody
Rehearsals: Monday nights, 7pm, Harmony House, 58 E. Main Street, Webster
Women interested in singing are welcome to attend a rehearsal. More info by calling 585-865-2731 or emailing info@rochesterrhapsody.com
Rochester Women’s Community Chorus
Kristy Houston, music director
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 6:30pm-8:45pm, Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 Fitzhugh Street, Rochester
Spencerport Community Chorus
Darla Blair, director
Rehearsals: Sunday afternoons, 2-4:15pm, Spencerport Wesleyan Church, 2653 Nichols Street, Spencerport
Contact Darla if you are interested in singing, either via email gbmanor@aol.com or by calling 585.494.1795
Sweet Adelines–Image City Sound
Kathy Wakeman, director
Rehearsals: Monday nights, 7-9:30pm, St John’s Brickstone, 1325 Elmwood Avenue
Women interested in singing is welcome to attend a rehearsal. Call 585-234-SING (7464) to confirm.
Taiwanese Choral Society of Rochester
YunnShan Ma, conductor
Rehearsals: Friday evenings, 1501 East Avenue
All singers welcome! Contact by email: tcsr.roc@gmail.com
