About The Rochester Male Chorus

Our Mission

The mission of the Rochester Male Chorus is to entertain, uplift and foster community connections through a commitment to high standards of choral exercise. Believing that music is a universal language that transcends human differences, the Chorus expresses its members' unique talents and individuality to create an artistic experience that connects the integrity of the music, the director, the audiences and one another.

Watch the Rochester Male Chorus on YouTube and listen to some song samples.

History

The Rochester Male Chorus was founded on January 27, 1930 by Harold Cooke and has been actively performing locally, nationally and internationally since that time.  The chorus is comprised of 30+ members from Rochester and surrounding areas. The men share a love for music and a desire to be an active part of their community. Besides their annual spring and Christmas concert, they perform at many community events such as Rochesterfest, Food Shelf fund-raisers, Hospice events, and the Eagles Cancer Telethon.

Artistic and Administrative Personnel

Joel Blair, Music Director

Rochester Male Chorus Director Joel's music education includes St. Paul Bible College (currently Crown College) in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota, and seminary work at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth Texas. Joel served as musical director for Cornerstone Theatre in Fort Worth for eight years before moving to Rochester to open Sam's Club. In addition to his Rochester Male Chorus duties, Joel plays piano with the Notochords, a local big band music group and performs piano/vocals for High Contrast, a local dance band. He also actively performs solo for many occasions throughout the community.

Brock Besse, Accompanist

Rochester Male Chorus Accompanist Brock has a wealth of musical experience, is currently director of music at Bethel Lutheran Church. He is a wonderful addition to the RMC. Here he is playing at Bethel: Musical offering.

Marie J. Maher, Executive Director

Rochester Male Chorus Executive Director Marie has a B.A. in music from University of Wisconsin Madison, an MA in English/Journalism also from U of Wisconsin and a Ph.D. in education and human development from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. She has taught music for ages k- through college, performed with orchestras and chorales (French horn and oboe.) She also has worked for Hal Leonard's in the music publishing field for 8 years. She has spent 33 years in higher education, most recently serving as Director of Development for the University of Minnesota Rochester. Since January 2012 she has joined the Rochester Male Chorus as Executive Director with responsibilities including such things as marketing/fundraising, adding new performance venues, and increasing membership as well as providing Board and Chorus support for existing ventures.

Artistic Goals