Rhodes Singers
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The Rhodes Singers are a noted undergraduate choir from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, specializing in smaller, unaccompanied chamber music works. They are directed by Dr. Timothy Sharp.
The Rhodes Singers originated in 1937 under the direction of Professor Louis Nicholas who organized the first choral ensemble at Rhodes College in 1934. Burnet C. Tuthill formalized choral music performance on the campus with the establishment of the Rhodes Singers as the concert choir for the College, and established the tradition of the annual choir tour.
Today, the Rhodes Singers perform many concerts annually, tour throughout the United States, and every three years tour internationally. In 2001 the Rhodes Singers toured in Italy and Switzerland and were the featured choir at the International Church Music Festival in Bern, Switzerland, directed by Sir David Willcocks. In 2002 the Rhodes Singers were featured with composer Morten Lauridsen in the performance of his "Les Chansons des Roses" with the composer in residence. In 2004 the Rhodes Singers, along with the Rhodes Mastersingers Chorale performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City in an all-Lauridsen with Lauridsen himself in attendance. The concert featured Lauridsen's "Mid-Winter Songs," "Madrigali: Six "Firesongs" on Italian Renaissance Poems," "O Magnum Mysterium," "Les Chanson des Roses," and "Lux Aeterna," with Lauridsen accompanying the Singers on the "Dirait-on" movement of "Les Chanson des Roses." In the Spring of 2006 the Rhodes Singers took their music overseas once again, touring England and performing in such venues as Canterbury Cathedral, Arundel Cathedral, Winchester Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, St Catharine's College, Cambridge, and St. Paul's Cathedral in London. In the Fall of 2006 the Rhodes Singers returned to Carnegie Hall to perform Morten Lauridsen's "Nocturnes" and "Lux Aeterna," again with the composer accompanying them at the piano for the "Nocturnes." The Rhodes Singers currently have several recordings to their credit, most recently recording "Christmas at St. Mary's Vol. V."
Rhodes Singers have established a tradition of choral excellence throughout the region. This choir of sixty singers focus on smaller choral works often from the unaccompanied choral tradition. Membership in Rhodes Singers is based upon an audition. One hour college credit is available each semester for performing in Rhodes Singers.
