World Premiere of Robert Patterson’s Requiem

We have an exciting opportunity for our singers in grades 1-8. We have been asked to put together a Children’s Chorus for the world premiere of Robert Patterson’s Requiem. The composer lives in Memphis and is the principle French horn player for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.The Rhodes Mastersingers Chorale and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. William Skoog will perform this brand new composition Saturday evening, November 3rd, at 7:30. The concert will take place at McNeill Hall on the Rhodes campus (formerly Evergreen Presbyterian Church). Each student participant will receive two complimentary tickets to the concert.

Don’t let the term “Children’s Chorus” deter you from participating. This is a term that has been used for decades to describe what we now would call a “youth choir” like CoroRio. Last year, Arroyo and Rio students performed a “Children’s Choir” part in a performance with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. This year, the director has asked for elementary and middle school aged students.

The music for the Children’s Chorus is not terribly difficult in and of itself, but it has a prominent place in the work and is part of three out of six movements. Rehearsals for CoroRio participants will be Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 5:45 beginning September 25th. In order to make sure that the performance is first rate, Dr. Skoog has set up the following rehearsal schedule with the Children’s Chorus and the Mastersingers Chorale at McNeill Hall:

Tuesday, October 23rd: 7:00 to 7:45 PM
Tuesday, October 30th: 7:00 – 7:45 PM
Thursday, November 1st: 7:00 – 8:00 PM (First rehearsal with the orchestra)
Friday, November 2nd: 8:00 – 9:30 PM (Final dress rehearsal)
Saturday, November 3rd: 7:00 – 9:30 CONCERT

A student may miss a weekly Tuesday rehearsal (5:30-5:45) due to a conflict or illness, but all rehearsals with the Mastersingers Chorale listed above are required. Please only sign up if you can fully commit to the schedule listed.

Please use the link below to let us know if you are able to make the commitment to be a part of this exciting event. CoroRio will do an outstanding job of providing a first rate Children’s Chorus for this world premiere and we are honored to have been asked to participate! We hope many of you will be able to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to perform with a professional choir and orchestra.