Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 4:30-5:45 p.m. in the Cultural Life Center (Shewan Recital Hall).
The Roberts Chorale is the premier vocal ensemble of Roberts Wesleyan University, dedicated to the study and performance of outstanding choral music that spans a rich variety of styles, historical periods, languages, and cultures.
United by a shared passion for expressive artistry and a commitment to meaningful Christian fellowship, this ensemble of talented singer-artists blends their gifts to achieve exceptional choral excellence.
The Chorale proudly embraces its mission to “express ourselves humbly and honestly through song” and to “find joy in all we do.”
The Roberts Chorale Mission Statement
We are a family of diverse musicians united to sing for the glory of God. Striving to serve as God’s instruments, we seek to enlighten others to the reality of God’s love. Recognizing that our music is a gift from God, we express ourselves humbly and honestly through song.
Our purpose as an ensemble and as individuals is to
- Return the beauty God has given us
- Share the life-transforming power of musical and interpersonal harmony with our audiences
- Celebrate how our differences empower us to contribute to the kingdom of God
- Serve each other and those around us in ways beyond our music
- Connect our heads to our hearts and engage our hands
- Find joy in all we do
About Us
The Roberts Chorale is excited to welcome its new Director, Carina Telesca, who will begin her tenure at Roberts preparing the ensemble for its annual Christmas Gala: Sounds of the Season – Keeping the Music Alive! concerts in December 2025, and continue with joint concerts in March 2026 with the Rochester Oratorio Society, and the performance of Beethoven’s epic Symphony No. 9 with the Roberts Symphony Orchestra and soloists in Spring 2026.
Beyond classical masterpieces, the Chorale warmly invites audiences into a spirit of worship through new compositions, thoughtfully arranged hymn settings, global music, Gospel, and spirituals.
Most recently, under Adam Potter, the Chorale enriched both the university and the wider community through regular on- and off-campus performances, recording projects, collaborations with the Roberts Symphony Orchestra, joint concerts with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Rochester Oratorio Society, and other regional ensembles, biennial domestic tours, and quadrennial international tours, including recent visits to France and the Baltic countries.
The Chorale’s recent repertoire has included:
- Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy
- Borodin’s Polovetsian Dance & Chorus
- Finzi’s Et in Terra Pax
- Handel’s Messiah and Zadok the Priest
- Mozart’s Mass in C
- Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols
- The New York State premiere of Dan Forest’s Lux: The Dawn from On High
- The recent spring 2025 performance of Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 2, Resurrection
Ensemble Information
Who should audition for Chorale?
Information on these will be provided at the beginning of each semester.
What are the registration details?
All singers register for Chorale (MUSC 1050), typically for one credit.
Performers will be permitted to register for zero credit if enrolling places them into academic overload.
History of the Roberts Chorale
Under the leadership of its first director, Gregory Goida, the Chorale embarked on its inaugural international tour and released its first recordings on LP. During the 33-year tenure of his successor, Robert Shewan, the ensemble produced numerous recordings with the Albany label and frequently collaborated with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
The proud tradition of choral excellence at Roberts Wesleyan University was further nurtured by conductors Nelson Hill, Stephen Caraccciolo, Jeffery McGhee, Jamie Spillane, and David Chin.