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heights of
excellence under the direction
of Leroy Kromm, its second
chorus director. Mr. Kromm
was appointed to this position
in 2000 by then music director
Kate Tamarkin.Monterey Symphony Chorus
The Monterey
Symphony Chorus was founded
in 1990 by then music director
Clark Suttle and led by chorus
director Ken Ahrens. It has
reached new heights of
excellence under the direction
of Leroy Kromm, its second
chorus director. Mr. Kromm
was appointed to this position
in 2000 by then music director
Kate Tamarkin.
In the summer of 2005, Mr. Kromm took the Symphony Chorus on tour to Scandinavia and St. Petersburg to great acclaim. He has successfully prepared annual Christmas programs and subscription performances featuring the Symphony chorus. Most recently, they include Brahms' German Requiem in May 2007, Orff’s Carmina burana in May 2006, Bruckner’s Te Deum in May 2005, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in May 2004. According to the members of this all-volunteer Chorus, Leroy Kromm’s rehearsals are a joy and an inspiration. Many of the chorus members have said working with him is like having one’s own vocal coach! Mr. Kromm is a professional bass baritone in demand by such organizations as San Francisco’s Philharmonia Baroque and numerous others. He is a vocal professor at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
The Monterey Symphony Chorus sang Handel’s Dixit dominus and Pergolesi’s Magnificat at the Symphony Christmas programs in December 2006. The Symphony Chorus will sing Handel’s Messiah under the baton of guest conductor Christoph Campestrini in December 2007 and repeat the Christmas portion at special concerts later in December.
In addition, the Symphony Chorus has enthusiastically made themselves available for various outreach programs including June 2006's appearance at the first-ever performance by the Symphony at the Soledad Mission.
Through the tireless efforts of volunteer Chorus manager Eleanor Avila, the Symphony Chorus is well taken care of, attended to, and allowed to do its best. We appreciate the work of so many toward this admirable institution. The Chorus is open to all members of the community by audition and meets at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Jack’s Peak in Carmel on Tuesday evenings. Please contact Joan De Visser, director of operations for specific information.