Wooster Chorus to begin annual tour with performance March 23

The highly acclaimed Wooster Chorus, an ensemble of 50 student musicians from The College of Wooster, will perform at the First Presbyterian Church of Wooster (621 College Avenue) on Sunday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m., the first concert of the group’s 59th annual spring tour.

Other stops on the tour include Northwest Christian Church in Upper Arlington, Ohio, on March 24 at 7:30 p.m.; St. Joseph the Worker Parish, St. Maurice Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on March 25 at 7 p.m.; Wayne Presbyterian Church in Wayne, Pennsylvania, on March 26 at 7 p.m.; and The Falls Church Episcopal in Falls Church, Virginia, on March 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Directed by Lisa Wong, the Olive Williams Kettering Professor of Music at Wooster, and assisted by pianist Toni Arnold Shreve, the award-winning Wooster Chorus proudly announces its 2025 tour program, “The Sound of Silence,” a compelling exploration of contemporary choral works. This thoughtfully curated concert experience features captivating music by celebrated composers Reena Esmail, Stacy Garrop, Robert T. Gibson, and many others. The program’s centerpiece, a beautiful a cappella arrangement of the title work, promises to resonate deeply, leaving audiences uplifted and inspired.

Wong is in her 16th year at Wooster where she teaches classes in conducting, choral literature, and music education. In addition to her role at the College, she is the director of choruses for The Cleveland Orchestra. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from West Chester University, and a master’s and doctoral degrees in choral conducting from Indiana University.

Founded in 1964, the Wooster Chorus is comprised of students representing all academic areas within the College’s liberal arts curriculum. The award-winning ensemble is often praised for its beautiful sound, high level of artistry, creative programming, and engaging performances. The Chorus collaborates annually with The Cleveland Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and has premiered works by American composers including Eric Whitacre, Jocelyn Hagen, and Jake Runestad. The ensemble has performed at the Central Division conference of the American Choral Directors Association and several times at the state conference of the Ohio Music Education Association.

For more information, contact Jill Harbaugh at jharbaugh@wooster.edu or by phone at 330-263-2419.

Posted in News on March 10, 2025.