Akron Symphony Chorus
Auditions for the 2023-24 Season
The Akron Symphony Chorus and Chorus Director Chris Albanese will hold auditions for new members for the 2023-24 season on August 11 and 12 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 Beethoven Symphony No. 9 and Mozart Mass in C minor “Great.”
VOCAL PLACEMENT
New Member instructions:
- Choral excerpt:
- Sing your part of the attached excerpt (“And the Glory of the Lord” from Handel’s Messiah)
- Please use the edition attache. A copy will be available at your audition
- An accompanist will be provided.
- Vocalize:
- We will conduct a brief range check to determine your section placement.
- Pitch recognition:
- A series of pitch patterns will be played and you will be asked to repeat them.
RETURNING MEMBER INSTRUCTIONS:
- 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
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.
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