Robbins Appointed Choral Director of Richmond Symphony Chorus

Choral Artist-in-Residence, Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor Richard W. Robbins, D.M.A., was appointed the new director of the Richmond Symphony Chorus. He will join the organization on April 16 and will work with the chorus on its performance for the symphony’s season finale concert in June featuring Verdi’s “Requiem.”

“I am absolutely thrilled to join the Richmond Symphony as the new chorus director,” said Robbins. “The opportunity to collaborate with this esteemed orchestra and to work alongside such talented singers is a true privilege. Countless composers have conveyed their most profound and personal statements through the union of orchestra and choir, producing moments of unparalleled beauty and emotional depth. I fell in love with this repertoire because it so beautifully embodies this synergy, creating moments of sheer magic for both listener and performer. I cannot wait to embark on this journey with the Richmond Symphony and to share the joy of these collaborative performances with our audiences.”

“There are opportunities for collaborative possibilities between our Shenandoah students and the Richmond Symphony, and our alumni and supporters in the region are many,” added Robbins. Several musicians and administrators involved with the Richmond Symphony are Shenandoah alumni.

Robbins brings a wealth of experience in preparing choral-orchestral repertoire. Previously, he had served as chorus master of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra and the Houston Ballet, and as assistant director of the Houston Symphony Chorus. He has prepared choruses for major conductors such as Hans Graf, Christoph Eschenbach and Joan Glover among many others. His choral performances have been featured numerous times on television and on nationally syndicated radio programs. Ensembles under his direction have performed at choral conferences and earned awards at numerous festivals.