Milwaukee Symphony Chorus
Encyclopedia
The Milwaukee Symphony Chorus is the choral ensemble of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
. Founded in 1976 by Margaret Hawkins at the request of then-MSO music director Kenneth Schermerhorn
, it was originally called the Wisconsin Conservatory Symphony Chorus and filled a need for the MSO to have a chorus of consistent quality. It became the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus in 1985, upon coming under the auspices of the MSO.
The MSC consists of some 150 auditioned voices from various backgrounds, with 24 of those members making up a specially-auditioned professional core along with a small number of alternate core members. Chorus auditions are held twice annually - in late August and in early January. Since the untimely passing of Hawkins in 1993, the chorus director has been her protégé, Lee Erickson, who holds the Margaret Hawkins Chorus Director Chair, funded in honor of Hawkins during the Chorus' 30th anniversary year in 2006. The assistant director is Timothy J. Benson.
The Milwaukee Symphony Chorus has performed with the Milwaukee Ballet
, the Milwaukee Children's Choir, the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
at the Ravinia Festival. The chorus has worked with world-renowned conductors such as Helmuth Rilling
, Nicholas McGegan
, Grant Llewellyn
, James Conlon
, Andreas Delfs
, and Doc Severinsen
, as well as current MSO music director Edo de Waart
. Christoph Eschenbach
, after leading the Chorus in a Ravinia concert, pronounced the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus "world-class".
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its primary performing venue is the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts...
. Founded in 1976 by Margaret Hawkins at the request of then-MSO music director Kenneth Schermerhorn
Kenneth Schermerhorn
Kenneth Dewitt Schermerhorn was an American composer and orchestra conductor, most notably for the Nashville Symphony.-Biography:Schermerhorn was born in Schenectady, New York, where he studied clarinet, violin, and trumpet in school. At age 14, he forged a baptismal certificate to appear older so...
, it was originally called the Wisconsin Conservatory Symphony Chorus and filled a need for the MSO to have a chorus of consistent quality. It became the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus in 1985, upon coming under the auspices of the MSO.
The MSC consists of some 150 auditioned voices from various backgrounds, with 24 of those members making up a specially-auditioned professional core along with a small number of alternate core members. Chorus auditions are held twice annually - in late August and in early January. Since the untimely passing of Hawkins in 1993, the chorus director has been her protégé, Lee Erickson, who holds the Margaret Hawkins Chorus Director Chair, funded in honor of Hawkins during the Chorus' 30th anniversary year in 2006. The assistant director is Timothy J. Benson.
The Milwaukee Symphony Chorus has performed with the Milwaukee Ballet
Milwaukee Ballet
The Milwaukee Ballet is a professional ballet company located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. It was founded in 1969 by Roberta Boorse and held its first performance on April 24, 1970. It is currently ranked among the top twelve ballet companies in the United States...
, the Milwaukee Children's Choir, the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
at the Ravinia Festival. The chorus has worked with world-renowned conductors such as Helmuth Rilling
Helmuth Rilling
Helmuth Rilling is an internationally known German choral conductor, founder of the Gächinger Kantorei , the Bach-Collegium Stuttgart , the Oregon Bach Festival , the Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart and other Bach Academies worldwide, and the "Festival Ensemble Stuttgart"...
, Nicholas McGegan
Nicholas McGegan
Nicholas McGegan OBE is a British harpsichordist, flautist, conductor and early music expert....
, Grant Llewellyn
Grant Llewellyn
Grant Llewellyn is a Welsh conductor.- Biography :Grant Llewellyn began developing his conducting reputation in 1985, when he was awarded a conducting fellow position at the Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts. There his mentors included Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Kurt Masur and André...
, James Conlon
James Conlon
James Conlon is an American conductor and the current Music Director of the Los Angeles Opera.-Early years:Conlon grew up in a family of five children on Cherry Street in Douglaston, Queens, New York. His mother, Angeline L. Conlon, was a freelance writer. His father was an assistant to the New...
, Andreas Delfs
Andreas Delfs
Andreas Delfs is a German conductor. He is the conductor laureate of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and principal conductor of the Honolulu Symphony.-Biography:...
, and Doc Severinsen
Doc Severinsen
Carl Hilding "Doc" Severinsen is an American pop and jazz trumpeter. He is best known for leading the NBC Orchestra on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.-Early life:...
, as well as current MSO music director Edo de Waart
Edo de Waart
Edo de Waart is a Dutch conductor, and the Music Director of both the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra....
. Christoph Eschenbach
Christoph Eschenbach
Christoph Eschenbach , born February 20, 1940, Breslau, Germany is a German-born pianist and conductor. He currently holds positions in Washington, D.C. as music director of the National Symphony Orchestra and music director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.-Early...
, after leading the Chorus in a Ravinia concert, pronounced the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus "world-class".