Richmond Symphony Chorus
James Erb organized the all-volunteer Richmond Symphony Chorus in 1971 for a December performance of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, under guest conductor Robert Shaw. For 36 years, Erb continued to direct and build the Chorus to reflect the Symphony’s high standards. Erin Freeman assumed leadership of the Chorus at the start of its 2007-08 season.
The repertoire for its selected volunteer membership has included most of the standard repertoire for chorus and orchestra: Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, St. John Passion and Mass in B Minor, Haydn’s Creation, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Choral Fantasy, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Requiem settings by Mozart, Brahms, Verdi and Fauré, Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony and all of Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloë. Over the years they have also sung shorter choral-orchestral works by Handel, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Bruckner, Delius, Debussy, Barber, Britten, Richard Strauss, Vaughan Williams, Stravinsky, Olivier Messiaen and Luigi Dallapiccola. In 2000 the Chorus attained a new level with performances of Britten’s demanding War Requiem.
Its annual December rendering of Handel’s Messiah has become a Richmond holiday tradition, along with a seasonal Genworth Financial Symphony Pops concert and programs of light music. The chorus has several times sung Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana in concert and in choreographed versions with the Richmond Ballet.
2011-12 Richmond Symphony Chorus
Erin Freeman, Associate Conductor, The James Erb Choral Chair
Barbara Baker, Manager
Michael Simpson, Accompanist and Assistant Chorus Director
Kevin L. Barger, Assistant Accompanist
Melva Carle, Carl Eng, and Duke Gosnell, Rehearsal Assistants
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