Voices of Geneseo: the Chamber Singers
Photo courtesy of staff editor Anna Ferrero
For nearly seven decades, the SUNY Geneseo Chamber Singers have been an important part of the college’s musical community. Known for expressive performances and a strong tradition of excellence, the ensemble brings together students from across campus to study, rehearse, and perform choral music at a high level while building a close musical community along the way.
Founded in 1957, the group began as a small madrigal ensemble before evolving into the mixed choir it is today. The Chamber Singers now include around 40 students with a wide range of academic majors. The ensemble performs multiple concerts on campus each year while also representing Geneseo in regional, national, and international performances. The group is directed by Dr. Gerard Floriano, who is only the fourth conductor in the choir’s nearly 70-year history. “Chamber Singers is a mixed vocal ensemble of students from all over the campus, which performs on campus about five times or more per year and tours internationally every three years,” Floriano explains.
At the center of the ensemble’s work is a clear artistic goal. “The primary mission of Chamber Singers is to study, rehearse, and perform great choral music from the Renaissance period through contemporary times at the highest possible level,” Floriano says. That mission shapes both the choir’s repertoire and its performance schedule. Chamber Singers regularly present music that spans centuries of choral tradition—some programs are entirely a cappella, while others feature piano accompaniment or collaborations with instrumental ensembles.
Over the years, those performances have taken the ensemble far beyond Geneseo. The choir has appeared at conferences hosted by major music education organizations and collaborated with groups such as the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Through regional tours, national appearances, and international travel, the Chamber Singers have developed a reputation that reaches well beyond campus. Their audiences have ranged from music educators and concertgoers to some rather unexpected listeners. As Floriano proudly notes, “They have taken 14 international concert tours and performed at state and national music educators’ conferences, and they have sung for college presidents, governors, and mayors, and whales!”
That unusual final audience made an appearance just this week. As part of a campus environmental art installation featuring a 65-foot inflatable sperm whale created by artist Billie Lynn, the Chamber Singers performed Eric Whitacre’s “The Seal Lullaby”; the performance took place on Tuesday, Mar. 10. The installation was part of a broader campus initiative exploring the relationship between art, science, and environmental awareness. The choir’s performance added a musical dimension to the event while highlighting the way the arts can contribute to conversations about climate and sustainability.
On Sunday, Mar. 8, the Chamber Singers also presented their concert “Winter’s End” at Central Presbyterian Church. The program reflected the seasonal transition from winter to spring, moving musically from quiet reflection toward brighter, more hopeful sounds.
For Floriano, one of the most rewarding aspects of directing the ensemble is working closely with students as they pursue shared musical goals. Beyond rehearsals and performances, he also enjoys helping singers understand the long tradition they are now part of and the many alumni who continue to support the ensemble.
That tradition extends beyond campus through the choir’s long-running international touring program. “This will be the Chamber Singers’ 15th international choir tour. This year we are going to sing concerts in Vienna, Prague, Budapest, and in a small town in Czechia,” Floriano says. For the singers involved, these international tours are often some of the most memorable experiences of their college years. Traveling and performing abroad gives the choir the chance to share its music with new audiences while also representing Geneseo on an international stage.
Despite the group’s long history and challenging repertoire, the Chamber Singers remains open to students from all across campus, no matter their major or level of experience. Anyone with a love for singing is encouraged to get involved. Students interested in keeping up with the ensemble’s performances, tours, and upcoming events can follow the group on Instagram at @geneseochambersingers.