The Columbus Symphony Chorus, completing its 63rd season, has continued to excel under the direction of Dr. Ronald J. Jenkins. Under his leadership for the past forty-one years, the Chorus has grown both in the quality of its performances and in the diversity of its classical repertoire. Critics have consistently lauded the chorus’ performances including the New York Concert Review: “This was choral singing of impeccable realization and subtle shading.” The concerts this weekend mark the end of his directing the Symphony Chorus as Jenkins is retiring at the end of this season. 

This year the chorus numbers 133 singers (68 women and 65 men), comprised entirely of talented volunteer singers from central Ohio. In the past 41 years they have performed major works from Bach through the 21st century. 

Past performances have included the requiems of Brahms, Verdi, Faure, Mozart and Durufle; the Bach B Minor Mass and St. John Passion; Mozart’s Grand Mass in C Minor and Coronation Mass; Haydn’s Lord Nelson and Harmonie masses; Haydn’s Creation and the Seasons; Handel’s Messiah and Judas Maccabaeus; Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony; Mendelssohn’s Elijah; Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, 3 and 8; also works by Rossini, Orff, Walton, Bernstein, Britten, Copland, Prokofiev, Boito, Vaughan Williams, Moravec, Main, Paulus and Janacek to name but a few; and concert performances of operas including Bizet’s Carmen, Puccini’s La Boheme and Turandot, and Wagner’s Parsifal among others. In 2013 the chorus premiered Stephen Paulus’ Of Songs and Singing, conducted by Jenkins and commissioned by the chorus to honor his 30+ years of service. Casey Cook is the chorus’ accompanist. Lauren Grangaard serves as the chorus chair. The chorus rehearses every Tuesday evening from 7:15 to 9:45 p.m. starting in late August and continuing through May with an occasional summer event. Auditions are held each year in August and January. More information can be found at www.columbussymphony.com.

Ronald J. Jenkins, Conductor
Casey Cook, Accompanist
Lauren Grangaard, Chair