Our Choirs
Celebrating Over 20 Years!
The Richmond Men’s Chorus typically encompasses over 40 TTBB members and is currently celebrating over 20 years as a queer-friendly performing ensemble.
Welcoming to all!
RAV Treble is an SSAA voice ensemble that exists to create a safe and welcoming space for community, inclusion, and unification within the LGBTQ+ and Allies singing community.
Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community!
The Noteables is a mixed-voice community of singers with a concentrated focus on welcoming all members, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation!
Our Start
Richmond Allied Voices is a 501-C3 based in the Richmond, Virginia area. Formerly known as Monument City Music, RAV was first born when Tim Gillham gathered a group of men in April of 2001 to discuss the possibility of a men’s chorus.
The Richmond Men’s Chorus (RMC) had auditions over the summer months and began their first rehearsal with over 30 members on September 10, 2001. After an extremely successful debut concert, the group joined the Hampton Roads Men’s Chorus for a statewide tour in the spring, followed by a solo concert in the summer and a guest appearance with the Richmond Pops Band.
As the organization grew we formed the Richmond Women’s Chorus in 2010, now named the RAV Treble Chorus. This ensemble features over 30 singers and has performed all over the central Virginia region and also at the Denver GALA Chorus Festival of 2012.
In addition to RMC and RAV Treble, our organization has welcomed a new chorus focusing on LGBTQ rights, PRIDE and equality. “The Noteables” is a small mixed voice ensemble that features composers, singers and members of the LGBTQ family that help strengthen our outreach for the entire organization.
Our Team
Erin Wind
Director, RAV Treble Chorus
Erin is a native Richmonder who holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Longwood University and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Northern Iowa. As a director, Erin’s focus and passion lies in helping choristers find their voice and building community through choral music.
Christopher Reynolds
Director, Richmond Men’s Chorus
Christopher is a native Virginian who holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Master of Music in Organ Performance from Shenandoah University, as well as a Doctor of Musical Arts in Organ Performance from the University of Michigan. He has held professional musical posts for 20 years and is an extreme roller coaster and amusement park enthusiast. And most importantly, Christopher loves a good gin & tonic.
Sonia Elliott
Director, The Noteables
Sonia is a native Ohioan and a Richmond transplant as of 2001. She studied Music Education at Cleveland State University, where she quickly realized her true passion was choral conducting. She has participated in choral conducting mentoring workshops with various choral leaders such as Robert Page, John Rutter, and Jahja Ling. She is excited to work with The Noteables to bring contemporary a cappella to Richmond Allied Voices and to be a member of the choral conducting team.
Our Performances
The RAV team has performed a wide variety of choral music, some highlights include:
classical programs including Grieg, Vivaldi, Bach, Tallis, Brahms, Purcell, Saint-Saens, Handel and Mussorgsky
concerts of modern music featuring Bernstein, Gershwin, Shaw and Vaughan Williams
entire programs devoted to opera, the Swing Era, the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s
children’s music, American music, British music and other world influences
Broadway music concerts featuring Richard Rodgers, Stephen Sondheim, and Stephen Schwartz (including the first authorized men’s arrangements of songs from his Tony-Award winning show Wicked).
Some of our favorite locations to perform in have included:
our performance of Randall Thompson’s Testament of Freedom on its 60th Anniversary in Charlottesville, VA (its debut city!)
the American Theater in Hampton, VA
the Grand Illumination in Richmond, VA
the Roper Performing Arts Center in Norfolk, VA
the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC
and America’s 400th Anniversary performance in Jamestown, VA
And last but most certainly not least, Richmond Allied Voices also produces an extremely popular yearly cabaret series featuring our talented individuals as well as invited guest performers. We hope you can check us out!
Our Board
As of the Fall Season of 2023, our board of directors consists of the following members:
Staff
RAV Treble Director: Erin Wind
RAV Treble Accompanist: Jacob Berg
RMC Director: Christopher Reynolds
RMC Accompanist: Steve Austin
Noteables Director: Sonia Elliott
Noteables Accompanist: Jacob Berg
Committee Chairs
Membership: Jennifer Law
Marketing: Clark Chesser
Fundraising: Anna Creech
Executive Team
President/Co-Chair: Bill Sachau (Jul 23 - Jun 25, 1st term)
Vice President/Co-Chair: Jennifer Plate Johnson (Jul 23 - Jun 25, 1st term)
Treasurer: Richard Bradley (Jul 23 - Jun 25, 2nd term)
Secretary: Mickie Chapman (Jul 23 - Jun 25, 2nd term)
Ensemble Liaison
RMC Liaison: Drew Howerton (Jul 23 - Jun 25, 1st term)
RAV Treble Liaison: Katherine Todd (Jul 23 - Jun 25, 2nd term)
Noteables: Cara Clark (Jul 23 - Jun 25, 1st term)
At Large
Guy Terrell (Jul 23 - Jun 25, 2nd term)
Michael LaFayette (Jul 23 - Jun 25, 1st term)
Make your tax-deductible donation here!
Richmond Allied Voices (originally named “Monument City Music, Incorporated”) is established and registered as a not-for-profit, 501-C3, educational corporation with the Secretary of the State Corporation Commission and the Department of Agriculture, Division of Consumer Affairs, under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.