Richmond Symphony Choral Connections

It’s the 50th anniversary season of the Richmond Symphony Chorus and despite the pandemic, we’re finding creative ways to keep singing safely! We’re excited to launch our new virtual collaboration with fellow Virginia choirs to carry out our mission to create opportunities for musical experiences, artistic collaboration, and community connections through choral singing.

 

ABOUT CHORAL CONNECTIONS:

In service to the hundreds of volunteer singers in the Richmond area and beyond, the Richmond Symphony Chorus is partnering with several choirs to create opportunities for musical experiences, artistic collaboration, and community connections through choral singing. Conductors, pianists, and other leaders are volunteering their time to provide classes that will be open to all active singers in all participating choirs. All sessions will be recorded and eventually made available behind an email login to all singers at a later date.

The classes will be organized into two topics, Essential Skills for Adult Singers and Special Topics in Voice. Initially, each topic will include six classes – presented monthly. Our hope is that this new program will continue into the 2021-22 season and beyond!

 

https://vimeo.com/477792020

In partnership with:
Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale
One Voice Chorus
Oratorio Society of Virginia
Richmond Allied Voices
Richmond Concert Chorale
Richmond Choral Society
Virginia Consort
Virginia Symphony Chorus

 

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES 2020-2021:

To register for one or more classes, please click on the class link and complete the google form. Once you submit the form, you will receive a confirmation email with links, materials, and details for the class. Thank you for signing up!

Session leaders are subject to change.

Sunday, November 15, 2020 from 7:30pm-8:30pm

Special Topics in Voice: The View from the Podium – a Q&A with your conductors about favorite repertoire, score study, historical informed performances, and how to keep the altos in line.

  • Moderator: Stan Orchowsky 
  • Panelists: Erin Wind, Erin Freeman, Markus Compton, Michael Slon, Judy Gary, Bob Shoup, and Ryan Tibbets
  • Sign up here!

 

Saturday, November 21, 2020 from 10am-11am

Essential Skills for Adult Singers: Thriving on Your Own in this Communal Art – Learning Music on your own, getting around a choral score, getting (somewhat) comfortable with technology.

 

Sunday, December 6, 2020 from 7:30pm-8:30pm

Special Topics in Voice: Singing during the Plague and other tales of choral fortitude

 

Saturday, December 12, 2020 from 10am-11am

Essential Skills for Adult Singers: IPA, It’s not just a beer – Learning the International Phonetic Alphabet towards a strong grasp of pronunciation.

 

Sunday, January 10, 2021 from 7:30pm-8:30pm

Special Topics in Voice: Choral Masterpieces by Under Represented Composers – An investigation and sing along.

  • Ryan Tibbets, Michael Slon, Markus Compton, Erin Freeman
  • Sign up here!

 

Saturday, January 23, 2021 from 10am-11am

Essential Skills for Adult Singers: The ABCs of Do, Re, Mi – Using solfege to increase sightreading and intonation.

 

Sunday, January 31, 2021 from 7:30pm-8:30pm

Special Topics in Voice: A History and Sing Along of Protest Music – a collaboration between One Voice Chorus and Richmond Allied Voices. 

 

Saturday, February 20, 2021 from 10am-11am

Essential Skills for Adult Singers: The Right Note at the Wrong Time is the Wrong Note – Mastering rhythm & count singing towards a faster and healthier rehearsal.

 

Sunday, March 14, 2021 from 7:30pm-8:30pm

Special Topics in Voice: Panel 2 – The View from the Bench – a Q&A with your pianists about what it’s really like to play for a chorus. How do they prepare, what are their favorite parts of the job, and what are their conductor pet peeves? 

  • Moderator: Erin Freeman
  • Panelists: Rehearsal pianists from your favorite choral ensembles!
  • Sign up here!

 

Saturday, March 20, 2021 from 10am-11am

Essential Skills for Adult Singers: Seeing and Feeling Your Voice – Vocal Anatomy, Sensation, and Function. 

 

Sunday, April 11, 2021 from 7:30pm-8:30pm

Special Topics in Voice: Choral Works that You Don’t know but Should

 

Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 10am-11am

Essential Skills for Adult Singers: Healthy Voice Use at Every Age – Including tips on breathing, strength, relaxation, and managing your nerves.

 

Stay Connected:

Visit our website or follow us on Instagram & Twitter at @rs_chorus.