Bel Canto Chorus’s Music Director Richard Hynson and Assistant Conductor Michelle Hynson will retire at the end of the 2024 season. Richard will retire after 36 years with the group; Michelle was with the group for 35 years.
The Hynsons were awarded the Lifetime Achievement in Music award by Civic Music Milwaukee in 2023, in honor of their service in musical development of the community.
Bel Canto Chorus was founded in 1931 with the idea of creating lifelong learning opportunities, and connecting people through music with their world-class choral programs in the Milwaukee area.
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Richard said he’s formed a lifetime of wonderful relationships with staff and crew, especially the friendship he made with his partner, Michelle. “We met working at Bel Canto,” he explained. “She is the most pivotal relationship in my life.” Richard said there are many relationships and friendships which have formed during his tenure.
Richard expressed how Bel Canto gives voice to the community’s emotional expression. As an example, he said Bel Canto did 9/11 commemoration concerts in 2002. “Those touched thousands of people.”
Michelle has performed with the Bel Canto since 1989 as assistant conductor, accompanist and soprano section leader. She has been active in Milwaukee as a pianist, soprano soloist, accompanist, composer, church musician, and voice teacher since 1981. While working with the choir has been a wonderful career path, Michelle said they never made ‘bank’ with the jobs.
“I just took a walk in my neighborhood. I realized it’s sad how our children will all make more money than we ever did,” she joked. “But we loved our work and taught our children they need to be happy in order to be fulfilled.”
Bel Canto hired a new artistic director this spring, Jonathan Laabs, to step into the role after Richard.
Laabs has been an active conductor, clinician, performer, and music educator throughout the Midwest. Prior to being named artistic director at Bel Canto, Laabs served in the same capacity at Canticum Novum, a chamber choir focusing on the work of the holy gospel. He earned a masters’ of music degree in choral conducting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and served as a teaching assistant in the choral area.
Richard said it has always been very clear to him that Bel Canto was one of the very few choruses in the country which have lasted 92 seasons.
“I think that longevity is incredibly rare.” He said the choir is one of the authentic professional arts. “What we bring is that emotional outlet. It’s the perfect human institution which transcends all economic levels.”
Richard said it’s all about taking an intentional breath together. Singing with purpose. Bringing his or her own best to the experience.
Bel Canto Chorus has one more concert this season on May 12.
