The Roanoke Valley Choral Society was formed in 1985 with the merger of the former Roanoke Valley Chorus and the Virginia Choral Society. The original Roanoke Valley Chorus dates to the early 1960’s, and the Virginia Choral Society began operation in the early 1970’s. Since 1985 the Roanoke Valley Choral Society has performed to the pleasure and delight of audiences in the Roanoke Valley and beyond. We have recorded on cd several of our most recent concerts and in the past have performed and recorded with the Roanoke Symphony.

William G. Snyder

Mr. Snyder, a native of Weston, West Virginia, has a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Marshall University. He has earned a Master’s degree from Radford University, and has done post graduate work at Longwood College, the University of Virginia, Shenandoah Conservatory, and Westminster Choir College. Mr. Snyder has worked with many notable musicians such as Paul Salamunovich, Daniel Pinkham, Sir David Willcocks and Sir John Rutter.

During his musical career, Mr. Snyder has been a public school music educator, church choir director, and is the former Musical Director of the Danville Choral Society, Bedford Choral Society, and the Virginia Choral Society. He has also served as the Chorus Master for the Southwest Virginia Opera Society (now Opera Roanoke) and has prepared choruses for the Roanoke Symphony. Recently retired from his teaching position at Salem High School, Mr. Snyder retains his position as Director of Music for First United Methodist Church of Salem and the Director of the Roanoke Valley Choral Society.

Mr. Snyder’s high school choirs frequently performed for district, regional and state conferences and conventions, and have performed for the Music Educators National Conference. The Sanctuary Choir of First United Methodist Church has been featured at the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and in 1991 performed the Requiem by Sir John Rutter in Carnegie Hall in New York City under the direction of the composer.