Memphis Symphony Chorus
The Memphis Symphony Chorus is an integral part of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra family and a fan favorite. The Memphis Symphony Chorus is led by Artistic Director, Dr. Lawrence Edwards and performs between 2 and 5 concerts per season with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Since its formation in 1965, the Memphis Symphony Chorus has attracted excellent, volunteer vocalists from around the Mid-South. Performances are held at the Cannon Center in Downtown Memphis.
The Chorus began in 1965 when Maestro Vincent De Frank needed a chorus to present the Symphony’s first Pops Concert. He asked musician Sara Beth Causey to send out notice and 30 singers responded that first year. Today the Chorus is 120 members strong, performing under the direction of Maestro Robert Moody and Dr. Lawrence Edwards.
In a perfect collaboration of orchestral and vocal musicians, the chorus has performed major works across the entire spectrum of classical choral music, opera choruses, and concert pops repertoire.
The Chorus also performs each year with the Symphony in the very popular Holiday Pops concert. in the Pops Concert Series and participates in performances around the Mid-South with the Memphis Symphony. To learn more about the Memphis Symphony Chorus please visit www.memphissymphonychorus.org.
Chorus Membership & Audition Process
Chorus membership grows through a twice-yearly audition process supervised by Dr. Edwards.
Being a professional vocalist is not a prerequisite for acceptance; however, one must have in equal proportion vocal skill, ability to read music, a love for great choral music, as well as the time and energy to devote to a weekly Monday rehearsal schedule during the season. Each new season for the Chorus begins in the late summer and lasts through their final performance, usually in May.
About Lawrence Edwards
MEMPHIS SYMPHONY CHORUS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Lawrence Edwards, Professor (B.A. - Seattle Pacific University; M.S. and Ed.D. University of Illinois), is the Artistic Director of the Memphis Symphony Chorus. He has conducted Bach’s St. John Passion and Mass in B-Minor with the Memphis Symphony and Handel’s Messiah with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Edwards was Director of the University of Memphis Choral Program from 1987 - 2021. He directed the University Singers, University of Memphis Chamber Choir and Sound Fuzion, a contemporary vocal/instrumental ensemble. He was coordinator of the graduate degree in conducting and mentored the graduate students in Choral Conducting. Dr. Edwards teaches undergraduate and graduate Choral Conducting. He is also Prior to teaching at the University of Memphis, Dr. Edwards was the Director of Choral Activities at West Virginia University, Morgantown.