Conductor Biographies:

Robert Pratt (conductor, 1964-1973 Chorales) is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and is a US Navy veteran of World War II.  He has a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan School of Music. He has studied with Harold Haugh and Robert Fountain.

For 25 years, at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Bob was Chairman of the Music Department, Director of Choral Activities and founder of the music history portion of the highly-touted Humanities program, receiving a John Hay Fellowship in the Humanities. Bob is on the Ann Arbor Public Schools' Roll of Honor.

Before being appointed Conductor of the Chorales he conducted the Ann Arbor Cantata Singers. He has always been active in church music and was Director of Music at Ann Arbor's Zion Lutheran Church and, most recently, Conductor of the Chancel Choir at the city's First United Methodist Church.  He was the founding conductor of the Plymouth Oratorio Society.  (Note:  Dr. Ingram has since taken on the role of conductor of this organization.  See below.)

A member of the Ann Arbor Rotary Club, Bob is a Past-President and was designated an Honorary Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary's highest award.

After his l0 Chorale tours, and when the Chorales were terminated, Bob and his wife spent a sabbatical year in Brazil studying Brazilian culture and music and conducting and teaching.  Mary, Bob's wife of 63 years, was with him on the Chorale tours. They have three children, l0 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. His son, Donald, daughter-in-law Kathryn and daughter, Carolyn, are singing in the Chorale today.

Dr. Richard Ingram

Richard Ingram has been a choral director at Ann Arbor Huron High School since 1978, where he is also currently chairman of the Music Department.  In addition, he is one of the founders and past conductors of the Ann Arbor Youth Chorale, a select treble voice choir.  His college work at the University of Michigan included degrees in Music Education, (BME) Choral Conducting (MME) and Vocal Performance (DMA).

Choirs under Dr. Ingram’s direction have appeared throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe, including New York’s Carnegie Hall.  His honors and leadership positions have included:  Michigan School Vocal Music Association Teacher of the Year for 2007,  Presidential Scholar Distinguished Teacher in 1997, President of the Michigan School Vocal Music Association (1995-1997) and MSVMA State Honors Choir Director in 1995. He currently serves the American Choral Directors Association as President-Elect.

The Huron High School A Cappella Choir has completed four European tours including a 2006 appearance at the Verona, Italy Choral Competition, where they were awarded the Gold Trophy as the outstanding choir in their category, as well as a special judge’s award.  They have also performed at state music conferences for MSVMA and ACDA in 1994, 2004 and 2005.

From 2000-2006, the Huron High School Music Department has been named as a Grammy Signature School five times.  In 2003 they received Grammy Signature Gold rating, signifying it as one of the top seven high school music departments in the country.

Recently Dr. Ingram became the choral conductor of the Plymouth Oratorio Society following the footsteps both Mr. Pratt and Mr. Riccinto in this illustrious role.

Dr. Ingram considers it a distinct privilege to assist his high school mentor, Robert Pratt.  Mr. Pratt was an early inspiration to him in his musical career.