The Rochester Oratorio Society honors the memory of its second Music Director, Dr. Roger Wilhelm, who passed away October 3, 2021, in Rochester.

During his distinguished 20-year tenure with the Oratorio Society, Roger led memorable concerts of major works, numerous adventurous contemporary pieces, topical works (“Songs of our Politics”) and commissioned works by Jeff Tyzik and Cary Ratcliff (“Ode to Common Things,” on the occasion of the ROS 60th anniversary), among many others. Roger prepared the ROS for scores of performances alongside the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, led the ROS on international tours, and welcomed prominent solo artists to the ROS stage.

As a Stanford alumnus renowned for his scholarship, editorial work and choral arranging, Roger held high artistic standards while making every singer feel deeply valued. His direction provided the musical framework for generations of singers through the University of Rochester, Asbury First United Methodist Church, Eastman Summer Sings, Opera Under the Stars, Madrigalia, and other choral endeavors.

Roger endowed a grant program through the Greater Rochester Choral Consortium that provides seed money for member choirs undertaking initiatives outside their usual realm, ensuring that his legacy of advocacy for new music, progressive choral programming and high standards endures.

The Oratorio Society family, our many alumni, our colleagues in the choral community, and all those whose lives were touched through Roger’s leadership, vision and inspiration, will remember him warmly and with gratitude.

Related: Musicians remember conductor Roger Wilhelm as a gentleman and collaborator (from WXXI Classical)