EVER WANTED TO SING WITH THE RPO? Apply by March 26 for the RPO COMMUNITY CHORUS CONCERT on May 4

For Immediate Release:  March 15, 2013
Media Contacts:   Sally Cohen, 585-749-1795, sally@sallycohenpr.com, @PR4Arts
RPO Info:  rpo.org, facebook.com/SuperRPO, twitter.com/SuperRPO, rpo-land.blogspot.com

Rochester, NY – The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) and the City of Rochester present the RPO COMMUNITY CHORUS CONCERT on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 8 p.m. at Kodak Hall in Eastman Theatre. The free concert will feature a 200-voice community chorus to celebrate the RPO’s continuing 90th anniversary season and to give community vocalists an opportunity to sing with their hometown orchestra. 

“We’re excited to announce this celebratory concert that will involve so many of our talented community members,” says RPO President and CEO Charles Owens. “Thank you, City of Rochester, for making this happen.”

“The RPO is one of Rochester’s most valuable assets and we are proud to support this unique event that benefits the entire greater Rochester community,” said Mayor Thomas S. Richards.  

The program – although not finalized – will include a combination of classical favorites such as Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” and Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” as well as popular and patriotic standards such as “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “America the Beautiful.”

Interested community members should apply online at https://tinyurl.com/bbolnwd by Tuesday, March 26.  Auditions are not required.  Selections will be made based on voice types needed, ability to read music, previous choral experience and choir director recommendations. Participants will be notified by Tuesday, April 2. Some chorus-only rehearsals may be scheduled; rehearsal with the RPO will take place on Saturday, May 4 from 3-5:30 p.m.

Tickets to the RPO COMMUNITY CHORUS CONCERT are free, but a $5 donation per ticket is recommended. Tickets are available in person at the Eastman Theatre Box Office (433 East Main Street) or may be reserved for pickup by phone at (585) 454-2100.

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music since its founding in 1922. The RPO presents up to 150 concerts a year, serving nearly 200,000 people through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region. Notable former music directors include Eugene Goossens, José Iturbi, Erich Leinsdorf, David Zinman, and Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman; Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik has earned a national reputation for excellence in pops programming during his 19-year tenure with the RPO. With Michael Butterman as Principal Conductor for Education and Outreach (The Louise and Henry Epstein Family Chair) – the first position of its kind in the country – the RPO reaches over 12,000 children through its specific programs for school-aged children.

Media please note:  High-resolution images are available upon request and interviews can be arranged.