The Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale invites new singers of all voice parts to join us for our Spring 2026 concerts. This spring's program will feature the following selections by American composers, in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The selections:
- Adolphus Hailstork - I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes. Hailstork’s piece is for chorus, organ and a tenor soloist. Adolphus Hailstork is an African-American composer known for his contributions to classical music and whose works blend musical ideas from both the African American and European traditions. He lives in Virginia and was on the faculty at Old Dominion University for many years before retiring.
- Mary Beth Bennett - Deep River. Bennett’s piece is for chorus and organ. Bennett is a nationally recognized performer, composer and improviser who lives in Richmond, and serves on the adjunct music faculty of the University of Richmond and is Organist of Second Baptist Church.
- Andrea Clearfield - The River of God. This piece is for chorus and organ. Clearfield is a Philadelphia-based composer whose works are regularly commissioned and performed by ensembles in the U.S. and internationally. She composes music for opera, orchestra, chorus, soloists, chamber ensembles, dance, film and multimedia collaborations.
- Leonard Bernstein - Chichester Psalms. Bernstein’s piece is for chorus, organ, harp, percussionist and one soloist. Bernstein was a renowned American composer, conductor, educator and humanitarian. He helped to transform the way people everywhere hear and appreciate music, by projecting simple messages in both complex and simple forms and styles. His unique style is best known in his score to West Side Story.
- Mack Wilberg - Tres Cantus Laudendi. Wilberg’s piece is for chorus, organ and percussionists. Wilberg is an American composer, arranger, pianist, conductor and choral clinician who has been the music director of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square since 2008.
Rehearsals are held on Mondays, 7-9:15 p.m., at Duncan Memorial UMC in Ashland. The first rehearsal will be on Monday, Jan. 19, and new members may join on Jan. 19, Jan. 26, or Feb. 2. The two spring concerts will be held on Friday, May 15, 7:30 p.m., at Grace Baptist Church and on Sunday, May 17, 3 p.m., at Duncan.
If you are interested in joining us as a singer, please let us know--more information on this page!
Concert dates and locations:
Richmond – Friday, May 15, 7:30 p.m.
Grace Baptist Church
4200 Dover Rd.
Richmond, VA
Ashland – Sunday, May 17, 3 p.m.
Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church
201 Henry Street
Ashland, VA
Consider joining us!
Do you enjoy singing with a group, mastering challenging choral works, improving your singing talent - and live in the Central Virginia area?
Sopranos, altos, tenors and basses are all welcome. Although formal musical training is not required, previous experience with choral singing is encouraged. There is no audition, but the director does meet with new members to determine their vocal placements.
If you are interested in joining us for Spring 2026, don't hesitate to contact us. Rehearsals begin Monday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church in Ashland, VA. New members may register for the spring season from Jan. 17-Feb 2. New members need to arrive at 6:30 p.m.
Concerts will be held Friday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m.at Grace Baptist in Richmond, and Sunday, May 17 at 3 p.m. at Duncan Memorial UMC in Ashland.
Conductor Ryan J. Tibbetts began his tenure as the fourth Artistic Director and Conductor of the Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale in August 2015. Since 2015, he has also served as the Artistic Director of the Richmond Concert Chorale, and in 2017 he became Director of Music at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Goochland.
Accompanist Daniel Stipe is equally at home as a solo recitalist, collaborator and arranger on both the piano and the organ. His large and varied concert repertory, with special focus on works of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, continues to delight audiences nationwide.