History

The Choral Society of Pensacola has a long and distinguished history as Northwest Florida’s only symphonic chorus. The organization was “born” in 1935 when Mr. and Mrs. John Boschen organized a group of singers to present Handel’s “Messiah” to the Music Study Club of Pensacola. Originally named The Pensacola Oratorio Society, the group performed “Messiah” each December thereafter at local Pensacola churches. The Pensacola Oratorio Society officially changed its name to The Choral Society of Pensacola in June of 1983. In 1990, the Choral Society performed a concert at New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall. In 2001, the organization performed Brahms “German Requiem” under the direction of renowned choral director, Donald Neuen, and was also invited to perform at the Jiangmen International Choral Festival in China.

Highlights from Recent Seasons

  • In September of 2002, the Choral Society presented a large-scale concert titled “In Commemoration of September 11, 2001.” This event drew an audience of 850 to Pensacola’s Saenger Theatre and included accompaniment by the Pensacola Civic Band and performances by guest ensembles from the Pensacola Children’s Chorus.
  • In December of 2004, the Choral Society performed Handel’s “Messiah” as a joint concert with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, drawing an audience of over 1,200 to Pensacola’s Hillcrest Baptist Church. This concert marked the first of what are now annual collaborations with the Pensacola Symphony in presenting “Messiah.”
  • In February of 2005, the Choral Society collaborated with the Pensacola Children’s Chorus to present a concert titled “In Sacred Song.” This concert featured full orchestral accompaniment and drew an audience of 1,100 to Pensacola’s Saenger Theatre.
  • In August of 2006, the Choral Society preformed in The Second China International Chinese Choral Festival held in Beijing, China. The Choral Society was the only U.S. chorus participating in this prestigious event.

Goals, Purposes and Objectives

The goal and mission of the Choral Society of Pensacola is to enrich Northwest Florida through the presentation of choral music and the continuing development of the choral arts. The Choral Society strives to maintain excellence, diversity, a commitment to education, and an emphasis on collaboration with other cultural organizations.

The purpose of the Choral Society of Pensacola is to annually produce a season of choral music embodying the highest musical quality. To achieve this goal, the Choral Society offers an annual schedule of three concerts of exceptional technical and artistic merit featuring a wide variety of choral literature. Additionally, the Choral Society strives to enhance music education in our community by affording qualified high school and college students the opportunity to participate in all three concerts.

Primary objectives include ongoing improvement of the Choral Society’s already excellent artistic product, and the development of greater involvement and interest in choral events within the Northwest Florida/South Alabama community at large.

Personnel

Xiaolun Chen, Artistic Director

A Native of Beijing, China, Mr. Chen was a professional singer and assistant conductor with the China National Broadcasting Chorus after he received his B.M. degree in Voice from the Central Conservatory of Music. He came to the United States in 1987 and studied choral conducting and voice at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, obtaining his double major M.M. degree in 1990. Following his graduation from Eastman, Mr. Chen accepted a teaching position at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts as the Director of Choral Activities. In 1998, he became Director of Choral Activities at Pensacola Junior College, and Artistic Director of the Choral Society of Pensacola. Mr. Chen has served as guest conductor and choral clinician in both the U.S. and China, including performances with the China National Symphony Orchestra Chorus.

Andrew R. Metzger, Executive Director

Mr. Metzger obtained both a B.A. and M.A. in Communication Arts at the University of West Florida. The Executive Director’s areas of responsibility include fund-raising, publicity, concert logistics and office management. In addition to his duties as Executive Director of the Choral Society, Mr. Metzger also currently serves as Administrator for the Jazz Society of Pensacola, and is the performing arts writer for the Pensacola News Journal. Previous positions have included serving as Assistant Director for the Arts Council of Northwest Florida, and as Coordinator for the Office of Personal Development at the University of West Florida. Mr. Metzger currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus as Public Relations Chair.

Dale Riegle, Orchestra Personnel Manager

Mr. Riegle is the principal trumpeter with the Pensacola and Mobile Symphony Orchestras, and former principal trumpeter with the Gulfcoast Symphony in Biloxi, Mississippi. He has been a soloist on the “Music at Christ Church” series in Pensacola, with the Pensacola Symphony, including a recent appearance with former Canadian Brass trumpeter Jens Lindemann, and with the Mobile Symphony, the Okaloosa Symphony and the Pensacola Civic Band.   Mr. Riegle is an adjunct instructor of trumpet at Pensacola Junior College and personnel manager for the Pensacola Symphony as well as the Choral Society of Pensacola.   Mr. Riegle is the Technical Director, producer and an announcer at West Florida’s public radio station WUWF, 88.1FM.

Ila Brown, Accompanist

Ms. Brown serves as accompanist for Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, for local theater and opera productions, for local voice and violin teachers, and for Lyceum artists and faculty and student recitals at Pensacola Junior College. She teaches piano privately, and has also taught piano in the Santa Rosa County School System. She earned her B.M.E. degree from the University of Montevallo with a piano major and voice minor.

Carol Mankins, Production Manager

Ms. Mankins has served as Production Manager for the Choral Society since 1996. This job involves acquiring and setting up any equipment needed for each concert and working with the Conductor and Executive Director in a timely fashion. Ms. Mankins also served as Production Manager and Coordinator for Pensacola Opera for ten years. In addition, she has served, variously, in the capacities of stage manager, production coordinator and assistant director for numerous shows staged by Pensacola Little Theatre.