- Allen Symphony Chorus Director Rusty King
The Allen Symphony Chorus (ASC) looks forward to a bright future as it welcomes new director, Rusty King, for a second year. The ASC, part of the community since 2001, is a diverse group of SATB singers from Allen and surrounding communities that has dedicated itself to the challenge of performing works by major composers with the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra as well as a series of casual concerts from contemporary composers. Rusty’s background and experience will provide outstanding opportunities for the chorus members and our audience to enjoy choral music at its best.
Rusty has just joined the Allen community as the Minister of Music at First United Methodist Church of Allen. He holds a degree in Sacred Music and Vocal Choral Conducting from Centenary College and has been a music minister since 1979 directing major choral works that include Schubert’s Mass in G, Handel’s Messiah, Rutter’s Requiem, and Vivaldi’s Gloria.
Rusty has developed a men’s choir, a ladies ensemble, and a contemporary group of singers; he also founded and conducted the Dallas based Aldersgate Chorale in a performance of the Brahms Requiem at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.
An active musician all his life, Rusty was a member of the Centenary College Choir. Rusty’s father, a Director of Music in Florida, encouraged him to experience what many say is the pinnacle of accomplishments for choral members– to work under Robert Shaw. Robert Shaw was an American conductor most famous for his work with the Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Rusty auditioned, won a place, and performed the Berlioz Requiem with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus at Carnegie Hall, a concert that was audited by the late David R. Davidson.
Voice is not his only musical gift. Rusty taught himself to play guitar and learned, by ear, the songs of Dan Fogelburg , The Eagles, and others. His father gave him the book, Christopher Parkening Classical Guitar Method, Volume 1, and a new chapter in the life of guitar music opened to him. In his junior year in college, Rusty had the opportunity to take lessons from classical guitarist, Nghe Pham, and actually play for Christopher Parkening who is celebrated as one of the world’s preeminent virtuosos of the classical guitar.
Rusty did not abandon the music of The Eagles or Dan Fogelberg as he has formed and played in bands over the decades. His most recent is the band Connections adding the music of the Doobie Brothers, Chicago and James Taylor and others when performing throughout the metroplex for audiences while raising money for charity. Connections played in Allen on April 16th to raise money for relief efforts in Haiti. Rusty was invited to attend the Dan Fogelberg Memorial Weekend in Peoria, Illinois at the end of August of this year. Fogelberg’s widow, Jean, found the Connections band tribute to Dan Fogelberg’s music on YouTube and was thrilled to learn that his music was being performed in communities for good causes.
Popular with choral members and audiences alike, Broadway musicals are also part of Rusty’s resume. Godspell, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie Get Your Gun, Carousel, and The Sound of Music are some of the wonderful productions he has directed.
Music makes the universal connection to everyone and the ASC looks forward to this season and beyond to be involved in exciting, challenging, and wonderful opportunities to sing. We invite you to be part of this!!!
Choral Rehearsals: The chorus meets every Monday evening from 7:00-9:00pm at First United Methodist Church of Allen, 601 S. Greenville Avenue.
Get Involved! To become involved in the Allen Symphony Chorus, please call our office at 972.359.0656 or visit the chorus page on our website.