This season we celebrated our 70th Anniversary with many special performances and celebratory events. In October, our first production of the season was Mendelssohn’s Elijah held at Hochstein Performance Hall. During the preceding the performance, there was a series of enriching lectures in collaboration with the University of Rochester Humanities Center on the life and times of Mendelssohn and Biblical, historical and musicological information about the oratorio.
In November, we held a “Throwback to the 70’s Dance Party and Fundraiser”, held at ARTISANworks, with guests arriving in 70’s costumes and entertainment provided by our Resonanz Ensemble – lots of fun and a financial success!
In December, our Resonanz Ensemble Plus presented a free holiday concert for the community in the newly renovated Sibley Building Atrium. Also in December, ROS joined as guests of the RPO in the live concert presentation of the movie, “Home Alone” on stage at Kodak Hall, Eastman Theatre.
In honor of our 70th Anniversary we held a successful $10,000 Matching Funds Campaign on Facebook and exceeded its goal!
In March we celebrated our 70th Anniversary in Concert at Hochstein Performance Hall celebrating seven decades of success with some of our favorite music by Rutter, Haydn, Mozart, Lauridsen and others, with brilliant brass accompaniment. Joining Artistic Director, Eric Townell, on stage were Roger Wilhelm, ROS Director Emeritus, and Gwen Gassler, former chorus member and Assistant Conductor. Many alumni returned to join the chorus on stage for a special portion of the program, and several other alumnae added their support as audience members.
In April, we held our 10th Annual Rochester International Vocal Competition and Fundraiser, held at Temple B’rith Kodesh.
In June we once again joined the RPO at Kodak Hall, Eastman Theatre, for their season finale, including performance of Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances & Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe, with Ward Stare conducting. We ended our 70th Anniversary celebrations with a Gala Dinner at the Rochester Club Ballroom.
