Story: Richard Hynson, Music Director and Connector
Bel Canto's Christmas in the Basilica is a festive musical experience featuring beloved carols and hymns, John Rutter’s “Gloria,” and a few audience sing-alongs. It runs from Dec. 9 - 11 at the spectacular Basilica of St. Josaphat.
"For this coming concert I’ve written two new pieces and one arrangement
Read on to learn more about Richard and his work with Bel Canto, connecting communities and creating innovative collaborations.
“The career I thought I would have and the life I thought I would have is very different from the career I ended up with, but I have to say that what I ended up with was far better than what I imagined.”
Richard started in music as a child in Washington, D.C. He loved to sing and so his parents encouraged him to audition for the Professional Choir for Men & Boys at the Washington National Cathedral. From there, he went on to the choir at St. Albans School. He sang solos and premiered operas, as a treble.
“But when my voice changed, the instrument that I ended up with was not nearly the instrument that I’d had as a child,” Richard said.
He got his degree in vocal performance, but hit a wall when he started auditioning for graduate schools. Eventually, he found his way to the choral conducting program at Westminster College.
“I mourned singing for a while,” he said, but when conductor Robert Shaw came to teach a series of master classes, something clicked for Richard. “He provided the intellectual and spiritual fuel that got me launched [as a conductor].”
In 1988, after getting his doctorate from the University of Cincinnati — College-Conservatory of Music and taking on several jobs that provided his foundation as a music director, Richard was hired by Bel Canto in its national search for a new music director.
Over the more than 30 years that they have been with Bel Canto, Richard and Michelle (who will also be retiring at the end of the 2023-24 season) have worked to inspire growth for the organization and each individual chorus member.
“Michelle and I have created, as one Board Member referred to it, ‘our secret sauce,’ what makes our organization so unique, and I think it is the balance between high expectations for artistic excellence and creating community, embracing people and creating a real family atmosphere. Those two are not often spoken in the same breath but I believe it’s possible,” Richard said.
“When you put creative minds together, incredible things can happen … For the most part, people want to explore new realms and new ideas together ... I believe so strongly in collaboration and not just the standard blends like orchestra with chorus or a dance group with orchestra. But trying to find these novel ways to get people together and to get new audiences to be exposed to new things.”
Collaboration and bringing people together have been a major part of
As a Thiensville resident, Richard feels like he is in an ideal location to connect people throughout the region.
“I’m 20 minutes from downtown,” he said, “And I go 20 minutes the other way and I’m in Washington County so I feel like I’m perfectly situated.”
One collaboration bringing together people throughout Milwaukee and Washington counties is Kettle Moraine Symphony’s Brahms: A German Requiem, which will be held on Sunday, May 21. The Kettle Moraine Symphony welcomes singers from Bel Canto, choruses from four high schools in Washington County and one in Milwaukee County, and Moraine Chorus out of UWM-Washington County.
“To me, the only successful path toward building arts in our communities is to engage and excite young performers and listeners and give them experiences that will move them to such an extent that they feel that it is a part of their lives,” Richard said.
After he and Michelle retire from Bel Canto, they plan to continue their work with Kettle Moraine Symphony.
“Washington and Ozaukee Counties are ripe for growth and I see enormous potential there,” he said.
He also plans to do more composing. He’s written 40-50 songs that have been performed.
“I love it and I still am trying to refine and evolve my own voice in composing,” Richard said. “I’ve gone through several phases, so that’s an exciting personal journey that I hope to continue on.”
As a supporter of UPAF, you have helped make Richard’s career and the
Don’t miss your chance to see Bel Canto under Richard’s leadership: Get your tickets today for Christmas in the Basilica and check out what’s coming up next for Bel Canto and Kettle Moraine Symphony.