EIN: 16-0768758
Rochester Intergenerational Choir Day
Individual singers, choirs, and choir directors can join us for Rochester Intergenerational Choir Day 2026 event on November 7, 2026 from 9:30am – 4pm in the Hochstein Performance Hall!
Choral Event
Sing, learn, connect
During this biennial free event, singers will work with three well-known local clinicians: Dr. Lee Wright, scholar of the American Negro Spiritual, composer/conductors Jonathan Thomas Madden and Dr. Philip E. Silvey. There will be breakout sessions of Singers Yoga with Dr. Sandra Sluberski and Singers Dancing with Shana Kohler.
What to expect
Two new scores complete with learning tracks will be sent to registered singers and choir directors later this summer.
There will be sessions with each clinician on the day of the event.
- Dr. Lee Wright will begin by introducing choral improvisation techniques using American Negro Spirituals taught by rote. This practice encourages singers to both connect with the origin of these songs and to let their own life experience create part of the living fabric of this important American folk music. Wright is director of the Rochester choral ensemble First Inversion, Director of Music Ministry, Downtown United Presbyterian Church, and Director of Choirs at the University of Rochester.
- Choirs will work with Rochester native conductor, composer, and church musician Jonathan Thomas Madden to prepare his newly commissioned work specially written for this event. You’ll be able to bring that piece back to your chorus performance-ready. Madden is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Choral Conducting at the University of Michigan.
- A composer whose compositions have become beloved standards of contemporary choral literature, Dr. Philip E. Silvey will work with RICD singers on his new composition-to-take-home and perform, “Walking Temples of Noise”. Silvey is Professor of Music Teaching and Learning at the Eastman School of Music where he directs the Treble Chorus and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music education.
- Dr. Sandra Sluberski will offer sessions of Singers Yoga, incorporating physical stretches which align your body’s posture for optimal sound production, and mantra chanting, which aligns your mental processes for better concentration and stress reduction. A 42-year professional vocalist and vocal coach, she is also a longtime yoga instructor, Kirtan leader and Sound Bath specialist.
- During exhilarating breakout sessions, Shana Kohler will be dancing with our younger singers as well as adults who’d like to jump in. Kohler has been teaching elementary general music classes and youth choruses since 2002. She teaches Stepping Stones (ages 4 and 5) at Hochstein and directs the Hochstein Little Singers.
The day will end with an informal performance for the public. Participants will take home invaluable experience in improvisational performance practice of spirituals plus two performance-ready works, each with a message that speaks to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Rochester Intergenerational Choir Day details
Ages
Open to all singers grade 4 and up
Date
November 7, 2026
Time
9:30 am – 4 pm
Registration Cost
FREE
Registration Link
Thank you to our event supporters!
Organizing this special day are Maryellen Giese, Director of Hochstein Youth Singers, Hochstein Singers and the Sweden Senior Singers, and Lee Wright, Artistic Director of the Rochester choral ensemble First Inversion, Director of Music Ministry at Downtown United Presbyterian Church, and Director of Choirs at the University of Rochester.
