Entertainment: Making Music

Do you like to sing or play an instrument? Richmond has a variety of area groups you can join and lend your talents to make beautiful music. If you like to listen, see the concert series near the end of this list.

MUSICAL GROUPS

All Saints Choir of Men and Boys: About 50 voices, boys (grades 3-8), teens and adult men, auditions by appointment. Based at All Saints Episcopal Church. 288-7811 ext.108, allsaintsboychoir.org, e-mail akoebler@AllSaintsRichmond.org
American Youth Harp Ensemble: Young harpists, ages 6 to 18, participate in the group’s Troubadour, Lyra, Concert, and Touring ensembles. (804) 837-9355, www.harpensemble.org
Celebration Male Chorus: Inspirational-gospel-pop chorus of about 150 men (18 and older). Rehearses at Fifth Street Baptist Church. 321-5115, celebrationmalechorus.com, e-mail wbarnett@vuu.edu
Central Virginia Jazz Orchestra: A 19-piece, big band by audition. Rehearses at Mills Godwin High School. (804) 747-3408, cvjazz.com
Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale: About 50 members rehearse at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, Ashland. Audition for vocal placement. 368-7276, cvamc.org
Chesterfield Community Band: About 40 members. Rehearses at Brandermill Church. No auditions. 213-9118, ccband.org
City Singers Children’s Choirs: Chorus for boys and girls grades 6 and up; auditions by appointment. Rehearses at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church. citysingerschoir.org
Commonwealth Winds: Membership by audition or invitation. Rehearsals prior to concerts. 828-1660 or 365-8013
European Wind Ensemble: 28 musicians playing European concert band music; rehearses at Westminster Presbyterian Church. 512-3995
First African Baptist Singers: Inspirational chorus affiliated with First African Baptist Church. Rehearses at First African Baptist Church. 329-7279
Greater Richmond Children’s Choir: Five ensembles of boys and girls ages 8-18. Pro Arte Choir and Concert Choir, high-school choir and boys’ choir chosen by auditions. Treble Choir, entry level. All rehearse at Grace & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Auditions in May, June and August. 201-1894, grcchoir.org, e-mail grcchoir@gmail.com
Greater Richmond Pipes and Drums: 40 bagpipers and drummers rehearse at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 1400 Horsepen Road. 908-0551, grpd.us
Greater Richmond Chorus of Sweet Adelines International: Women’s barbershop chorus of about 65 voices chosen by audition. Rehearses at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church. 282-7464, grcsings.com
Hanover Concert Band: Ensemble of about 40 players. Rehearses at Hanover Arts & Activities Center, Ashland. Students welcome with written approval. Marshall Johnson, 798-0536, hanoverconcertband.com
Henrico Community Band: About 45 members rehearse at Tuckahoe Middle School, 9000 Three Chopt Road. Concerts at Deep Run Park on the last Thursdays in June, July and August. Sponsored by the Henrico Division of Recreation & Parks. 501-5859
Henrico Concert Band: About 40 members rehearse Monday evenings at Wilder Middle School, 6900 Wilkinson Road. Concerts at Dorey Park on the last Sundays of June, July and August. Sponsored by the Henrico Division of Recreation & Parks. Amy Perdue, 501-5859
Henrico Pops Chorus: About 80 members rehearse Tuesday evenings at Lakeside United Methodist Church, 2333 Hilliard Road. Sponsored by the Henrico Division of Recreation & Parks. Amy Perdue, 501-5859
In Faith: Contemporary gospel group of 24 voices chosen by audition. Rehearses at Sixth Baptist Church. 230-9314
James River Ringers: Hand-bell ensemble performs two concerts. Rehearses at Church of the Epiphany. Dottie Tweedie, 357-9810, jamesriverringers.org
James River Singers: Classical chamber chorus of 24 voices chosen by audition. Rehearses at First Presbyterian Church. 289-8282
One Voice Chorus: Inter-racial community chorus, no auditions required. Rehearses at St. Giles Presbyterian Church. 231-0324, onevoicechorus.org
Petersburg Festival Chorus: Community chorus with singers of all ages. Resident chorus of Richard Bland College of the College of William and Mary. Rehearses at RBC campus. 862-3706
Petersburg Symphony Orchestra: About 60 volunteer and professional members chosen by audition. Rehearses at Virginia State University. 674-4297 for auditions, 732-0999 for other info, psova.net
Richmond’s bands: Greater Richmond Youth Wind Ensemble, high school-level group. About 65 members chosen by audition in January. Rehearses at VCU Singleton Center, 828-1660. Greater Richmond High School Jazz Band. About 20 players chosen by audition in January. Rehearses at James W. Black Music Center, VCU. 827-0699. Richmond Honors Band. About 50 members chosen by audition. 828-1660
Richmond Boys Choir: About 40 voices, ages 7 to 17, chosen by audition. Rehearses at Central United Methodist Church. 788-6404, richmondboyschoir.org
Richmond Brass Consort: Classical brass ensemble of about 25 players chosen by audition. Rehearses at Mills Godwin High School. 732-7835
Richmond Chinese Community Chorus: About 24 voices rehearse at Chinese Baptist Church. 744-1704
Richmond Choral Society: Civic chorus of about 60 voices chosen by audition. Rehearses at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. 967-9878, richmondchoralsociety.org
Richmond Community Girls Choir: About 20 girls in elementary, middle and high schools. Rehearses at St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church. 437-1757, e-mail richmondgirlschoir@yahoo.com
Richmond Concert Band: Community band of about 75 players. Rehearses at Tabernacle Baptist Church. 737-3767, rcband.org
Richmond Concert Chorale: Classical chamber chorus of about 25 voices, chosen by audition. Rehearses at All Saints Episcopal Church. 643-3589, richmondconcertchorale.org
Richmond Men’s Chorus: Chorus of 50 voices for ages 18+ chosen by audition. Rehearses at Imperial Plaza. 241-0446, e-mail info@monumnetditymusic.org
Richmond Philharmonic: About 70 players chosen by audition. Rehearses at Grace Baptist Church. 673-7400, richmondphilharmonic.org
Richmond Pops Band: About 65 professional and experienced players chosen by audition. Rehearses at Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church. 275-5253
Richmond Symphonic Winds: Ensemble of 45 professional musicians and music educators chosen by audition. Rehearses at Swift Creek Middle School. 520-1601, angelfire.com/band2/richmondsymphwinds
Richmond Symphony Chorus: Professional chorus that sings with Richmond Symphony, about 115 members chosen by audition. Rehearses at Rhythm Hall at Richmond CenterStage. 788-4717 ext. 107, richmondsymphony.com, e-mail bbaker@richmondsymphony.com
Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program: Symphony’s flagship educational program with four youth orchestras. String Sinfonietta, a beginning ensemble for students with at least two years experience; Camerata Strings, an advanced intermediate string ensemble; audition only. Youth Concert Orchestra, an intermediate full symphony; audition only. Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra, an advanced, full symphony; audition only. Auditions Aug. 31 for the 2010-11 YOP Season. Megan Osborn, 788-4717 ext. 144, richmondsymphony.com, e-mail mosborn@richmondsymphony.com
Richmond Women’s Chorus: Chorus of 50 voices for ages 18+ chosen by audition. Rehearses at Imperial Plaza. 241-0446, or e-mail to info@monumentcity.org
St. Andrews Legion Pipes and Drums: 40 students, pipers, drummers and support personnel. Practices at Westhampton United Methodist Church. Free lessons to students. 502-7046, salpd.com
VCU Choral Arts Society: Student-community classical chorus of about 120 voices. Rehearses at James W. Black Recital Hall at VCU. 828-1166
VCU Commonwealth Singers: Student-community classical group of about 40 voices chosen by audition. Rehearses at James W. Black Recital Hall at VCU. 828-1166
VCU Community Guitar Ensemble:: Student-community group of about 20 classical guitarists chosen by audition. Rehearses at VCU Singleton Center. 827-4540
VCU Symphonic Wind Ensemble:: VCU student group of about 50 players chosen by audition. Rehearses at VCU Singleton Center. 828-1660
VCU University Band:: VCU student band of about 70 players. Rehearses at VCU Singleton Center. 828-1660
Virginia Choral Ensemble:: African American gospel chorus of about 21 voices chosen by audition. Rehearses at Cedar Street Baptist Church. Roger Cox, manager. 737-3202
The Virginians:: Male chorus affiliated with Barbershop Harmony Society. About 60 voices. Rehearses at Chamberlayne Baptist Church. (866) VA-SINGS, virginians.org
Volunteer Choir of Richmond:: Contemporary gospel choir of about 35 voices and several instrumentalists. Rehearses at Second Baptist Church. 690-9119

CONCERT SERIES

Richmond’s music scene offers programs by musicians and musical groups from around the community. Some concerts are free. For details, check The Times-Dispatch’s Sunday Flair section and Thursday Weekend calendars.

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart: Free (unless listed otherwise) concerts at the cathedral. 359-5651, richmondcathedral.org
First African Baptist Singers: Inspirational chorus affiliated with First African Baptist Church, concerts at churches, civic events and festivals. 329-7279
Gellman Room Concerts: Vocal, solo, chamber music, cabaret and jazz programs at the Richmond Public Library. 646-4740, richmondpubliclibrary.org
Indian Classical Music: Occasional concerts of Indian music and dance at Hindu Center of Virginia. 346-9954, hinducenterofvirginia.org
Richmond Chapter, American Guild of Organists: Organ Repertoire Recital Series at various churches. richmondago.org
River Road Church, Baptist, Concert Series: Eight concerts at the church. 288-1131, rrcb.org
St. Christopher’s/St. Catherine’s Schools: Concert series on campus. Alice Flowers, 282-3185 ext. 5312, stchristophers.com
Second Sunday South of the James Concert Series: Eight performances at Bon Air Presbyterian Church. 272-7514
Sunday Concerts at Trinity: Series of classical and jazz concerts at Trinity United Methodist Church featuring local performers. 288-6056, trinityumc.net

Discover Richmond is an annual publication of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, offering a guide to the metro area for newcomers and longtime residents. The 36th issue is published with the Aug. 29, 2010, newspaper.

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