Who We Are
Richmond Symphony Chorus
The Richmond Symphony Chorus is an award-winning ensemble of 150 members from the Richmond region. It performs regularly with the Richmond Symphony, Richmond Ballet, and in stand-alone performances around the community. The chorus members – ages 16 to 85 – are a diverse group of Richmond community members with a shared passion for choral singing. James Erb founded the Richmond Symphony Chorus in 1971 to perform Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis under the baton of renowned conductor Robert Shaw. Erb, a professor at the University of Richmond and a scholar of Renaissance music, led the group for 36 years. Repertoire ranges from classical and opera to pops favorites. Conductor Erin Freeman led the chorus from 2007- 2021, including performances in Richmond, Wintergreen, Carnegie Hall, and Paris, France. In 2018, the Chorus was featured in the Grammy-nominated recording of the premier performance of Children of Adam by American composer Mason Bates and Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem. The Chorus is now in its 52nd active season, with performances of Carmina Burana in August at the prestigious Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts and in September in the Carpenter Theatre; the stunning Across the Line of Dreams, a work for split chorus and two conductors by Roxanna Panufnik in November; a World Premiere of a new work by Richmond native, Zachary Wadsworth in February; and the stirring, Verdi’s Requiem in June, under the direction of Richmond Symphony Music Director Valentina Peleggi.
Chorus Leadership
- Richard W. Robbins, Director of the Richmond Symphony Chorus and James Erb Choral Chair
- Kevin L. Barger, Assistant Chorus Director
- Daniel Stipe, Rehearsal Accompanist
- Matthew Triplett, Chorus Manager
- Barbara Batson, Rehearsal Assistant
- Carl Eng and Lisa Fusco, Rehearsal Assistants
Questions: Contact Matthew Triplett at chorus@richmondsymphony.com
Stay Connected: Visit our website or follow us on Instagram & Twitter at @rs_chorus
