About Us

---

2019-2020 marked the inaugural season of The Nielsen Chorale, resident chorus of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. The Chorale’s name honors Ralph Nielsen (1916-1995), the founding father of choral music in Rockford and one of the city’s most important musicians of the 20th century.  Business owner, singer and conductor, Ralph passionately promoted music in our community, especially choral music. He also was the patriarch of a remarkably distinguished musical family that spans three generations (so far). The Nielsen Chorale is committed to continuing the high standards of choral music performance that he started decades ago.

The Chorale is incorporated as an independent 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.  Its mission is “to enrich and inspire our community through choral music”. Artistic leadership will be provided by Music Director Martha Bein, who led the Mendelssohn Chorale from 1994-2019.

Martha (Marti) Bein, serves as CAPA Choir Director at West Middle School in Rockford where

she has built a vibrant program focussing on choral performance and music skills. Additionally,

she is the founder and music director of the Nielsen Chorale, the resident chorus of the

Rockford Symphony Orchestra. Prior to West, Marti served as Director of Worship and Music at

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and St. Mark Lutheran Church in Rockford, where she strived to

engage all ages in worship leadership and music making. Marti is a multi-faceted musician with

extensive experience in music education, conducting, vocal performance, musical theater, and

church music. After earning degrees at Baldwin Wallace College (OH) and Cleveland State

University, she continued her post-graduate education with Fellowships at the Klingenstein

Center at Teachers College, Columbia University (NY), Northwestern University School of Music

(both in Music Education) and the Conductors Institute of South Carolina. Her passion for music

education was demonstrated on the faculty in public schools and independent schools: Laurel

School (OH), Lake Forest Academy (IL) and Keith School (IL) For over twenty years, Marti

provided leadership as Music Director of the Mendelssohn Chorale and for eight years led the

Rockford Lutheran Choral Union’s annual performances of Handel’s Messiah. Marti served as

chorus master for Chicago Opera Theater, Lyric Opera Cleveland, and the Bel Canto

Foundation, and as Music Director of the Shaker Symphony in Cleveland, OH. In 2004, Ms.

Bein received Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center’s “Starr of Excellence” award. She is active

as a guest conductor and adjudicator.

Kristen Nelson, a Rockford native, is an active performer in the area. She holds a Bachelor of

Music degree in piano performance and a Master of Music degree in piano pedagogy from the

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Kristen is actively involved in accompanying and collaborative work, as well as teaching and

adjudicating. Believing that music-making should be accessible and fun at any skill level, she

maintains an independent piano studio and loves working with and encouraging students of all

ages. Previously, Kristen served as adjunct faculty at Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL, where

she taught group piano courses. Kristen has served at several Rockford-area churches and

performs regularly with various choirs, vocalists, solo instrumentalists and ensembles, including

the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. A sought-after accompanist, she has previously worked with

the Mendelssohn Chorale and has been with the Nielsen Chorale since their inception in 2019.

Comprised of twelve singers selected by audition, Ancora, performs as an ensemble on the RSO Holiday Pops concert and as other occasions arise, often as solo and small ensembles.  The singers also serve as section leaders for The Nielsen Chorale.

ANCORA

2023-2024

Chris Berndt

Karen Cantele

Nathan Forrester

Nicole Johnson

Lindsey Lancaster

Karen Manley Kahler

Kari Maratos

Lisa Redd

Cliff Runyard

Cory Schreiner

William Shold

John Summers