Choir Director Richard Hynson '75 Celebrates "Divine Obsession"

November 29, 2014

"I have that divine obsession," says Richard Hynson, director of Wisconsin's Bel Canto Chorus and Orchestra. "It's almost an addiction to music-making."  The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel profiles Hynson, a 1975 graduate, and the path that brought him to conduct the vocal ensemble.

Kathleen Gallagher writes, "He sang with the Washington National Cathedral's Choir of Men and Boys and with accomplished singers from places such as New York City's Metropolitan Opera. Leo Sowerby, a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and church musician, wrote a song for him specifically to sing. Hynson's plan was as clear as his voice. He would sing for the rest of his life. Then came the inevitable. 'My voice changed from a wonderful treble to a rather ordinary tenor,' Hynson recalled."

A music and French double major at DePauw, Richard W. Hynson III performed with The Collegians as an undergraduate.  While pursuing his doctorate at the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Hynson took over as director of a local choral group and realized he had great love for directing and conducting.

Gallagher writes, "Conductors need to find within themselves an inner vision of how sound and people mix together to create something compelling, Hynson said. Then they should study an instrument, which can include voice, become capable at piano, and understand the history and theory of music. After all of that, he recommends conducting a church choir, or starting a community chorus or a band. 'Do whatever you can to make music come alive,' he said."

You'll find the feature at the newspaper's website.

This season marks Richard Hynson’s 26th year as music director of the Bel Canto Chorus and Orchestra. He's also served as music director of the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra since 2006.His past engagements include performances with the Milwaukee Symphony, the Skylight Music Theatre, and the Racine, Sheboygan, and Waukesha Symphony Orchestras.

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