Akron Symphony Chorus - Akron Symphony Orchestra

Akron Symphony Chorus

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Auditions for the 2022-23 Season

The Akron Symphony Chorus and Chorus Director Chris Albanese will hold auditions for new members for the 2022-23 season on August 9, 10, and 11 at Faith Lutheran Church, Fairlawn. Auditions are by appointment only.

The upcoming season for the Akron Symphony Chorus includes (amongst others) performances with the Akron Symphony Orchestra of Ellington’s Nutcracker & The Ballad of the Brown King, Mahler’s Third, and Brahms Requiem.

Soprano or Alto Section Leader

We are searching for a Soprano or Alto section leader for the coming season. This individual will lead sectional rehearsals along with providing vocal leadership within the section. The position is compensated. Please indicate your interest when scheduling an audition. 

VOCAL PLACEMENT

New Member instructions:
1. Choral excerpt: 
– Perform your part (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, or Bass) of “From the Glory of the Lord” from Handel’s   Messiah, (Ms. 11-63).
– Please use the edition attached. A copy will be available at your audition
– An accompanist will be provided.
 
 
2. Vocalize:
– we will conduct a brief range check to determine your section placement
 
 
Returning Member instructions:
1. Vocalize:
– we will conduct a brief range check to determine your section placement
 
 

Schedule an Audition

To schedule an audition, or for more information, please contact Brenda Justice, Coordinator of Choral Programs, by phone at 330.535.8131 or by email at bjustice@akronsymphony.org.

About the Chorus

At nearly 100 members, the Akron Symphony Chorus is dedicated to achieving the highest level of choral singing. Its volunteer singers represent all walks of life from our Akron community and surrounding areas. The Chorus is an indispensable part of the Akron Symphony Orchestra, and along with the Orchestra and the Akron Youth Symphony, functions as part of the Greater Akron Musical Association.

The Akron Symphony Choral Society, as it was first known, began rehearsals in the fall of 1956. The first performance was Brahms’ German Requiem on April 17, 1957, under the direction of Robert Shaw. In the years to follow, the renamed Akron Symphony Chorus performed much of the major choral repertoire of the last six centuries, as well as several regional first performances and world premieres.

Highlights have included Honegger’s Joan of Arc at the Stake featuring world-famous actress and dancer Vera Zorina, and in recent years, Mozart’s Coronation Mass with guest conductor Jeannette Sorrell, Handel’s Messiah directed by James Mismas, and an all Brahms program conducted by Grammy and Emmy award-winning guest conductor Vance George, retired choral director of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. In 2007, the chorus performed Verdi’s La Traviata, conducted by Christopher Wilkins.

Akron Symphony Chorus 

Soprano

Laura Beth Arnott
Ann Barni
Michelle Bisconti
Elizabeth Brumbaugh
Julie Carlson
Karla Cummins
Sarah Dush
Susan Holbrook
Dawn Horner
Joan G. Houger
Nancy Irby
Brenda L. Justice
Louisa Kreider
Lisa Lazar
Rebecca Lieb
Christine Makosky
Megan Meyer
Maryann Nething
Rachel O’Connell
Mary Ellen Porcella
Diana Ray
Mary Anne Schmidt
Judith Schwager
Jane L. Schweitzer
Kelly Thy

Alto

Martha E. Banks
Barbara Bock
Carrie Chapman
Karen Dick
Lisa Donatelli
Natalie Gilbert
Karen Gracy
Janet Harrah Grafton
Theresia Hartz
Peggy Hogan
Beth Illes-Johnson
Lindsay Kean
Valentina LeHoty
Lindy Lincicome
Deborah Marine
Amy Greenberg McCormick
Natasha Mekler
Joan Niewierowski
Diane Reitz
Kathy Schaefer
Cindy Spenoso
Penny Thompson
Sylvia Thompson
Michelle Wagner
Debra Walton
Rae Welker
Barbara Winberg
Anita S. Young

Tenor

George Gaiser
Sam Garner
Sean Gilbow
William Hartz
Ralph Heimburger
Arne Hosbach
Steve Lord
Paul Martucci
William Smith
Fan Yang
Michael Yeager

Bass

Robert Balli
John T. Burkley
Leigh Conti
Eugene Fubler
Joseph A. Gardner
Christopher Godard
Caleb Helgeson
Steve Hogan
Jack Jennemann
Kenneth Linscott
Joseph Palmiero
Henry J. Payden Jr.
Bob Peyak
Kurt Spenoso
Patrick Stromberg
Greg Taylor
Rich Weber