The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus (DPOC) is the choral performance organization of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. As such, it is the DPOC's mission to serve as part of the orchestra during the regular subscription season, performing choral-orchestral works. The DPOC may perform other functions, such as summer concerts and choral-only concerts. Additionally, the DPOC is dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the greater Miami Valley through workshops, clinics, joint concerts, and other educational outreach.
Founded in 1933, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra has a distinguished place in Dayton’s history as one of the community's oldest and longest-standing cultural institutions.
In 1935, realizing how much choral music would enhance the Orchestra's concert programming, Dr. Paul Katz founded the original, all-volunteer Dayton Philharmonic Chorus. The work of Charles Wendelken-Wilson, the Dayton Philharmonic's second Music Director, brought about the DPOC's reorganization as an even more vital part of the Orchestra. Former directors of the DPC include Clark Haines and Jeffrey Powell. In 1996, the DPOC appointed Hank Dahlman as its fourth director. The assistant director is Christina Smith.
Under Dahlman, the Chorus has added the Dayton Philharmonic Chamber Choir and the DPC Festival Chorus to its program. In 2006, the touring choir of the DPOC made its first tour of Europe. Recent New York appearances include performances at Carnegie Hall in 2008, and at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in 2010.
Currently, 120-plus members selected from singers from all over the Miami Valley join the Orchestra in concert several times a season, to perform some of the most challenging and beautiful choral music. Recent repertoire included the Orff Carmina Burana, Mozart Requiem, Britten War Requiem, Berlioz La Damnation de Faust, Bach St. Matthew Passion, and Haydn Creation. The DPOC has received numerous standing ovations and outstanding reviews by the Dayton Daily News and Cincinnati Enquirer. Dayton Public Radio regularly airs concerts featuring the DPOC.
Auditions
The DPOC holds open auditions for the chorus in the late August and early January. Auditions consist of a prepared solo (simple art song or hymn), vocalization, and a short sight-singing example. We provide an accompanist, Linda Mench. Those interested in auditioning for the chorus may contact either Amy Vaubel, Chorus Manager or Dr. Hank Dahlman, DPOC Director, for more information.
Rehearsals
Members of the DPOC must attend rehearsals regularly. The DPOC holds regular weekly rehearsals on the campus of Wright State University, Tuesdays 7-10 p.m. Additional rehearsals with the orchestra usually occur in the evenings during the performance weeks in the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Center for the Performing Arts in Dayton. We make a complete rehearsal schedule for each subscription season available the preceding July, and you may obtain one from Chorus Manager Amy Vaubel.
