About Us
The Choral Union of Rochester University was founded by our director, Dr. Joe Bentley, in the Fall of 2016 as the Rochester College Alumni Chorus. Our name change dates from the Fall of 2019 as we began to welcome current students and community friends. Dr. Bentley invited Facebook friends he knew who live in or near southeast Michigan to join as a regularly rehearsing and performing ensemble to put together concerts in the general area. By the end of the first season, 60+ singers were rehearsing regularly and prepared two concerts for the Spring of 2017.
Since then, the group has sung on campus, at the Rochester Church of Christ, the Oakland Church of Christ in Southfield, MI, the Valley Church of Christ in Burton, MI, Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Birmingham, for the National Day of Prayer at the annual Rochester Prayer Breakfast, with the Metropolitan Detroit Youth Chorus, and with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra for their annual Christmas concert. We are now a 501c3 charitable organization, with a functioning board, and are able to receive donations that are tax-deductible.
The Choral Union normally rehearses on first and third Sundays, as well as fifth Sundays, on the campus of Rochester University from September through May. Check out the registration page for more info about how to join.
If you would like to contact us about singing at your church, concert series, or other venue, please use the book a concert page. We would be happy to consider singing for you. Also, check out our Season VII page for concert details.
Our Mission
The Choral Union of Rochester University exists to unite singing alumni across the decades with current students and community friends, serving the greater community with presentations of fine singing, and mobilizing alumni and the greater community in support of choral music through Rochester University.
Recently, the administration of Rochester University has entrusted its choral program to us, and we have continued to offer current students an opportunity to sing with us. The choral traditions at RU are important to our alumni, students, faculty, staff, and the greater community, and we want to help continue the choral tradition begun over 60 years ago. Come join us in making great music!
“This has been one of the greatest blessings of my life, to have former students and singers from earlier years return to sing, laugh, and pray together.”
board members
Karen Christian, president
Matt Lawes, vice-president
Morganne Bentley, secretary
Edwin Smith, treasurer
Jim Calkin
Robert Martin
Bella Galli