Chorale Members

Guest Artists Nielsen Chorale

Martha Bein, Conductor | Kristen Nelson, Piano

Soprano Amy Behling Wanda Berke Janet Bracken Susan Contrady Sandra Fenton Cindy Fischer Hayley Gotzche Cathy Herdeman Melissa Johnson Karen Manley Kahler* Carolyn Kobler Alexandra Koch Susan Lambert Kari Maratos* Aubree Rogers Sally Spencer Rita Weber Alto Rose Carr Jaida Cunnigham Deb Dew Cathy Feehan Jeanette Jess Geraghty Kristin Hatch* Valerie Hoglund Amy Jensen Audrey Johnson Nicole Johnson* Lindsey Lancaster* Tim Lilly* Barbara Fisher Livingston Christine McElmeel Jean Seegers Mickey Swart Tenor Kevin Jensen Laird Lambert Brice Miller Mark Miller Gonzi Ocampo William Shold* Dan Shuman Marc Soriano Loyd Wollstadt Bass Christopher Berndt* Larry Brown James Burright Lee Eclov John Holtan Ted Johnson Bill Kobler Tim Krug* Michael Leitz Robert Lindstrom Lowell Nafziger Tom Stein John Wahlquist

*Section Leader

Nielsen Chorale

2019-2020 marked the inaugural season of The Nielsen Chorale, resident chorus of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. The Chorale’s name honors Ralph Nielsen (1916- 1995), the founding father of choral music in Rockford and one of the city’s most important musicians of the 20th century. Business owner, singer, and conductor, Ralph passionately promoted music in our community, especially choral music. He was also the patriarch of a remarkably distinguished musical family that spans three generations (so far). The Nielsen Chorale is committed to continuing the high standards of choral music performance that he started decades ago. The Chorale is incorporated as an independent 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. Its mission is “to enrich and inspire our community through choral music.” Artistic leadership is provided by Music Director Martha Bein, who led the Mendelssohn Chorale from 1994-2019.

Guest Artists

Christopher Brady

After the longest reprieve from live music and art that a society can possibly go through without having social media take absolute control of its denizens’ lives, Chris Brady is grateful to be back with the greatest night of our lives - the Proms! Honestly, we didn’t intend for the last time to truly be the Last Night of the Proms...but that was close. Artistic Director of Starlight Theatre and long-time respected Rockford performer, Chris studied musical theatre at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, NYC; was co-creator of (usual) Suspects, a local theatre troupe here in Rockford; and has performed most of his life at theatres in the area including Starlight Theatre, Timberlake Playhouse, Artists’ Ensemble Theatre, and (usual) Suspects. Tonight, however, Chris would like to abandon the respect his past has garnered and prove himself the fool once again! So, be a part of it with Chris, the RSO, the rest, and join the fun. Carouse a good health to the Maestro and bob up and down for the heck of it. This is the last night of the Proms, so live it. Long live the Queen and God bless America! The same to his wife, Erin, and his daughters Ophelia and Imogen who will only be appalled by his performance here tonight.

Martha Bein

Martha Bein, Music Director of the Nielsen Chorale, is a multifaceted musician with extensive experience in conducting, vocal performance, musical theater, education, and church music. After earning degrees at Baldwin Wallace College (OH) and Cleveland State University, she continued post-graduate education with Fellowships at the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University (NY), Northwestern University School of Music, and the Conductors Institute of South Carolina. Marti has served as Chorus Master for Chicago Opera Theater, Lyric Opera Cleveland, the Bel Canto Foundation, as Music Director for the Shaker Symphony in Cleveland, OH, and the Mendelssohn Chorale in Rockford. For eight years she conducted the Rockford Lutheran Choral Union’s annual performances of Handel’s Messiah. Her teaching positions include Laurel School in Cleveland, where she also chaired the Fine Arts Faculty; Lake Forest Academy (IL); and Keith Country Day School. An ordained ELCA Deacon, Marti has served as Director of Worship and Music at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and St. Mark Lutheran Church.

Recently returning to her passion, teaching middle school students, Marti’s current title is Creative and Performing Arts Choir Director at Rockford’s West Middle School.

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