John Floreen Reflects on 30 Years Conducting the Rutgers University Chorus

When John Floreen arrived at Rutgers University in Newark in 1979 to serve as conductor of the Rutgers University Chorus, he was presented with a major challenge. The chorus, then 32 years old, was lacking one critical component. "There were almost no students for me to conduct," recalls Floreen.

Today, it is difficult to imagine the 50-voice chorus in such a state. Not only did Floreen recruit students, he developed the chorus into what has been described as a "veritable United Nations... with huge musical talent." Under his leadership, and with the assistance of Assistant Conductor Susan McAdoo, the chorus has delighted audiences in and around Newark for three decades, been on seven international tours and released five CD recordings.

The first international tour to Germany and the Czech Republic was arranged to coincide with the chorus's 50th anniversary in 1997. Since then, the chorus has performed in the Netherlands, France, England, Scotland, Wales and Italy, gaining glowing reviews along the way. In May 2011, the chorus will perform in Spain.

Floreen, the recipient of numerous fellowships and grants, including three Fulbright Scholar awards for music research in Austria, also has taken what he has learned abroad and incorporated that into the classroom and choral rehearsals. Over the years, he has expanded the choral repertoire, too, as a result of the international tours.

In anticipation of the upcoming concert tour in Spain, the chorus will be singing three works by Spanish composers at this semester's spring concerts. Those concerts take place April 25 at St. Mary's Church in Newark at 3 p.m., May 2 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Montclair at 5 p.m. and May 3 in the Bradley Hall Lounge at 11:30 a.m.