The Owensboro Symphony has appointed Patrick Ritsch as the new director of the Owensboro Symphony Chorus. This ensemble is comprised entirely of volunteers and has been performing since the 1971-72 season of the Symphony. “We are pleased to introduce a new director for the Symphony Chorus. Patrick brings an extensive background and considerable expertise to this role, and we eagerly anticipate our collaboration with him,” stated Gwyn Payne, Chief Executive Officer of the Symphony.
The organization is inviting new singers to participate alongside the Owensboro Symphony for the “Home for the Holidays” concert. Rehearsals begin on October 22 and will occur every Tuesday until the performance. These sessions are scheduled from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM in Room 201 of the Barnard-Jones Administration Building at Kentucky Wesleyan College. Anyone interested is asked to complete the following Google Form to register as a singer for this year: https://forms.gle/dUBmVty21cqGj3hC9
The Owensboro Symphony Chorus is sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. C. William Jansing.
About Patrick Ritsch
Patrick Ritsch is the Director of Choral Activities & Music Education at Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he directs the choral program, teaches undergraduate courses, and teaches voice. A native of Illinois, Ritsch completed his undergraduate degree in piano, voice, and sacred music at the University of Evansville. He is a recent graduate of East Carolina University, where he received his Master of Music in Choral Conducting. In addition to his duties at KWC, Ritsch is the Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church in Owensboro, KY. There, he leads the music ministry as organist and choir director.
While at ECU, Ritsch performed with the internationally recognized ECU Chamber Singers, both in the choir and as their pianist. With this group, he toured the eastern seaboard and performed at the Southern ACDA regional convention, as well as the NCCO national convention. While at ECU, Ritsch was the conductor of the ECU Collegiate Choir, assistant director of the ECU Concert Choir, and taught undergraduate conducting and music theory courses. In addition to his work at the university, Ritsch was the organist/choirmaster for St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Goldsboro, NC, and the Music Director of the Beaufort County Choral Society in Washington, NC.
Prior to his time in North Carolina, Ritsch was a secondary music and choir teacher in Indiana, where he led multiple groups to gold ratings at ISSMA District Organizational Contest and State Qualifiers. An accomplished pianist, Ritsch has collaborated on numerous student, faculty, and guest artist recitals. Additionally, he served as the music director and pianist for multiple university and community theatres, including : New Harmony Theatre, University of Evansville Theatre, University of Southern Indiana Theatre, the Evansville Civic Theatre, and Back Alley Musicals.