About Us
TODAY
REHEARSALS & PERFORMANCES
Our repertoire is varied and often includes instrumental accompaniment such as piano, cello, percussion, flute, violin, and cello. In addition, we happily collaborate with other artists including dancers, solo vocalists, and other choral ensembles. In the past, performance venues have included public schools, churches, senior living centers, and the Rochester Psychiatric Center. We have also participated in many community events including the William Warfield Scholarship Celebration, AIDS Awareness Day, the Rochester Central Library, and the Rochester People’s Climate Coalition March for Global Climate Action. We have collaborated with FuturPointe Dance, Nazareth Dance Ensemble, New Bethel CME Church, the Taiwanese Choir, Sladki Doumi Balkan Women's Chorus as well as with many individual performers. We are members of the Greater Rochester Choral Consortium and have performed in their PRISM concert at Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theater.
We rehearse on Sunday afternoons for roughly seven months of the year (February through May and September through December . Rehearsals are held at 4 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY, at the Community of the Savior and remotely via Zoom on Sundays from 2:00 — 4:00 pm. No auditions are required.
Our Conductor
Brian White has worked with the Mount Hope World Singers in various ways since 2015. He was selected as our director in the fall of 2017. Brian is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and inspires with his musical expertise, enthusiasm, and humor.
Our Artistic Director
Our Artistic Director, Annika Bentley, is a singer-songwriter, composer, and artist with an integrated degree in photography and music. A professional musician for over 20 years, Annika has worked with the Mount Hope World Singers since 2014.
SUPPORT
Mount Hope World Singers is a member organization of South East Area Coalition (SEAC) which is a 501(c)3 organization. We receive financial support from four sources:
Singers in the chorus contribute on a sliding scale with an average contribution $150/year.
We gratefully accept donations at performances.
For major performances, local businesses may purchase ad space in our printed programs.
With deep appreciation we accept private donations and grants.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Mount Hope World Singers is a community chorus and we enthusiastically welcome all singers to join us. However, we are also a performing group and we pride ourselves on presenting high-quality concerts. While perfect attendance at rehearsals isn’t mandatory, and while we clearly understand that sometimes life intervenes, we encourage regular attendance at rehearsals. All singers should make every effort to be present for the two rehearsals prior to performances.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Mount Hope World Singers is supported by a team of organizers who manage the finances, communication, and performance arrangements for the chorus. The Management Team consists of the our Director Brian White, our Artistic Director Annika Bentley, and chorus member Kathleen Fraser. Additional volunteers maintain our website, social media presence, refreshments, and music library.
FRAGRANCE FREE!
Mount Hope World Singers is fragrance-free! We are mindful of those with chemical sensitivities and we refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, or other scented products to rehearsals and concerts.