The Memphis Symphony Chorus is made up of 175 dedicated choral singers from every walk of life. Singing lawyers, homemakers, salespeople, teachers, students, and business managers attend weekly rehearsals that begin early in September and continue through the final concert in the spring. Though being a professional musician is not a prerequisite for joining the chorus, auditions are required. Director Dr. Lawrence Edwards believes that a love for great choral music and the time and energy to devote to a regular rehearsal are almost as important as vocal skill.
The Memphis Symphony Chorus began in 1965 with about 30 singers rehearsed by Sara Beth Causey and directed by Maestro Vincent de Frank. Today the Chorus is an integral part of the Memphis Orchestral Society, performing as many as four separate concerts per seasons. Recent performances include Holst's The Planets, Mahler's Second Symphony, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Verdi's Requiem, Orff's Carmina Burana, Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, and Handel's Messiah.
The Chorus Director, Dr. Lawrence Edwards, is also Coordinator of Choirs at the University of Memphis. He joined the orchestra family in 1988. Dr. Edwards sees the chorus as a musical ensemble dedicated to striving for musical perfection.