“Celebrating 66 Years of Music-Making!”
About Richmond Choral Society
A Brief History of RCS
Photo of RCS circa 1980. Courtesy of Gene Hawkins
Sixty-six years ago, a dream long nurtured by the Musician’s Club of Richmond began to bear fruit: One hundred of Richmond’s best singers began gathering to rehearse selections from a wide spectrum of musical sources—the classical masters, hymns, spirituals, folk arrangements, novelty songs and contemporary works. On April 29, 1947, the singers—soon to be known as the Richmond Choral Society—premiered those nineteen pieces in a concert at the WRVA Theater on East Broad Street. Under the direction of James Rawlings Sydnor, a music professor and Presbyterian hymnbook editor, the Choral Society began decades of setting a performance standard in Richmond. Long before the formation of other community choral groups, the Richmond Choral Society brought its music to capacity audiences in the great musical spaces of the city and beyond.
After launching the group to accolades from music critics, Dr. Sydnor passed the baton, in 1949, to Alton L. Howell, Sr., who served as director until his death in 1987. Anne Carr Regan then took over. Under the leadership of both, the Richmond Choral Society continued to develop, performing many of the great choral works. Mrs. Regan expanded the group’s repertoire to include theater and popular music.
Under the direction of Thomas A. Williams from 2002—2009, RCS continued to chart new territory. In 2004, it presented a landmark performance of Ernest Bloch’s Avodath Hakodesh, in collaboration with Congregation Beth Ahabah, which occasioned this praise from Clarke Bustard of the Richmond Times-Dispatch:“Thank goodness community groups like the Richmond Choral Society are willing to take on repertory that professional ensembles lack the initiative or imagination to perform.”
In the 2009—2010 season, the Richmond Choral Society began a new era, under the direction of Markus Compton, a dynamic young conductor who brings a wealth of experience to the leadership position. Under his guidance, we are continuing the tradition of excellence that has marked our long and proud history.
