Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Dr. Daniel R. Afonso, Jr., director
Yvonne LaCore Thompson, accompanist
Burt Vasché, manager
Artistic Excellence
Daniel R. Afonso, Jr., who was appointed chorus director of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus in 2001, is the Director of Vocal and Choral Studies at California State University, Stanislaus. He received a B.M.E. degree from the Universidade do Rio de Janeiro (UNI-Rio), a M.M. degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and a D.M.A. degree in Choral Conducting and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Dr. Afonso has studied conducting with Carlos Alberto Figueiredo, Cees Rotteveel, Eph Ehly and William Hatcher.
Dr. Afonso has performed with choral groups in Brazil, the United States and Europe, and previously taught music at the Conservatório Brasileiro de Música, Universidade do Rio de Janeiro (UNI-Rio) and Doane College, Nebraska. In 1988 his ensemble won the first prize and the best performance of Villa-Lobos work award at the Concurso Villa-Lobos de Canto Coral, a national choral competition sponsored by the Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro.
Strongly committed to the performance of new music, Dr. Afonso has premiered several choral works in the last few years, including compositions by Michael Mitchell, Deborah Kavasch, John Marvin and John Hillebrandt. As a composer, arranger and editor of choral music, he has works published by earthsongs and Alliance Music Publications. Dr, Afonso has been recognized for his research and performance of Brazilian choral music and continues to present workshops and lectures about the Latin American choral repertoire.
Dr. Afonso is active as a voice instructor, clinician, and guest conductor. His professional affiliations include the Ordem dos Músicos do Brasil, the International Federation for Choral Music, the American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and the National Association for Music Education (MENC and CMEA).
Rehearsals & Performance Calendar
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus rehearsals are 7:00–10:00 Monday evenings at Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 1600 Carver Road, Modesto, resuming January 14, 2013. Don't miss a note of the MSO Chorus this season as it performs with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra at the following concerts:
- Carmina Burana (Orff) and Chichester Psalms (Bernstein)
Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, 2013
Gallo Center for the Arts
Our 2012-13 calendar, including rehearsal schedule, is available here (pdf, 61kb).
Auditions
The Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus, directed by Dr. Daniel Rufino Afonso Jr., will resume rehearsals for the spring season on January 14, 2013. Rehearsals are at 7:00 Monday evenings at Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 1600 Carver Road, Modesto. Experienced singers from throughout the region, especially tenors and basses, are encouraged to attend the January 14th rehearsal. Prior to auditioning, please download and print the following two documents:
For more information about auditions and/or the Chorus, please e-mail Burt Vasché, MSO Chorus Manager, at chorus@modestosymphony.org or call (209) 505-6156.