Rochester Symphony welcomes
new chorale Director

April 28, 2025

After a months-long committee-based search, Rochester Symphony has named Dr. Colleen Chester as the organization’s new Chorale Director.

“I'm thrilled to welcome Colleen Chester to our artistic team as the new Chorale Director. With her expertise in working with vocalists and her innovative approach to choral repertoire, she'll bring a fresh perspective and high energy to our performances. Building on Rochester's rich choral heritage, I'm excited to see the Rochester Symphony Chorale flourish under her direction,” says Chia-Hsuan Lin, Music Director of Rochester Symphony.

In May, Rochester Symphony will announce the 2025/26 season of concerts, and is planning choral activities to introduce Dr. Chester to the community in the fall. “I’m honored to be joining Rochester Symphony’s artistic team and working to uphold the legacy of artistic excellence and community engagement with the organization,” says Chester.

Dr. Colleen Chester serves as Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities at Winona State University, where she received a 2024 Outstanding Professor Award. At WSU, Dr. Chester directs all choral ensembles in addition to teaching courses in music education (conducting, secondary choral methods, and vocal pedagogy) and Women in Music. Prior to her graduate studies, she was the Director of Vocal Music at San Luis Obispo High School and Laguna Middle School in San Luis Obispo, California. Her passion for music-making at all levels has led to her work with numerous church, community, and non-profit organizations including Choral Arts Initiative, San Luis Obispo Master Chorale, Canzona Women’s Chorus, Pacific Chorale, and Oregon Bach Festival.

Chester is actively involved in the region as a clinician, presenter, and conductor, and maintains a professional singing agenda both as a mezzo-soprano soloist and ensemble member of mirabai. She holds degrees from California State University, Fullerton (BA Music Education), University of Georgia (MM Conducting), and Michigan State University (DMA Conducting).

The selection process for a new Chorale Director began in January with a search committee made up of broad representation from the organization, and included recruitment efforts, interviews, and observing the candidates in rehearsal with the chorale. “Feedback from our chorale members after working with Colleen was overwhelmingly positive. Rochester Symphony is experiencing a period of significant change, with both the retirement of our long-time Music Director two years ago, and now our Chorale Director who had been involved on a leadership level for decades. It’s important that our new artistic leaders connect with our musicians, patrons and community in a meaningful way that helps people see the exciting things on the horizon for Rochester Symphony. We feel incredibly fortunate that with the addition of Chia-Hsuan Lin as Music Director last year, and Colleen Chester joining us as our new Chorale Director, we have found leaders who excel at building our artistic vision, as well as nurturing our positive artistic culture,” says Amy Lindstrom, President and CEO of Rochester Symphony.

For press inquiries please contact:
Amy Lindstrom – Amyl@rochestersymphony.org
Stephanie Kilen – Stephaniek@rochestersymphony.org
507.286.8742