The Ensemble
Resound is an auditioned, mixed-voice chorus, based in San Francisco. We believe that ensemble singing is a visible metaphor of different people coming together to create beauty and harmony. We believe there is no disconnect between art and popular music, and we juxtapose unlike pieces to reveal something impossible if they were performed alone.
Resound is made up of volunteer singers from a wide variety of backgrounds — teachers, mental health practitioners, small business owners, doctors, tech workers, even a few professional musicians — who assemble on Wednesday nights to create amazing music together.
Over the years, the Resound Ensemble has appeared in the Other Minds Music Festival’s Lou Harrison Centennial Concert, the Masterworks Chorus at Carnegie Hall, and in Distant Worlds: music from Final Fantasy, with the San Francisco Symphony.
The Artistic Director
Dr. Ben Riggs joined Resound Ensemble as Artistic Director in the fall of 2018. Prior to that, Ben was the full-time Artistic Director of Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus, a 160-member volunteer arts organization in Minneapolis, MN. Ben also served as the Artistic Director of both the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus and the Boulder Chorale, a 120-voice volunteer mixed chorus in Boulder, CO. An experienced church musician, Ben currently serves as the Minister of Music at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Oakland, CA.
Ben is a founding member of Firesign Vocal Quartet, a Denver-based, professional vocal quartet. Ben recorded two albums with Firesign: William Byrd & Terry Schlenker: Masses for Four Voices (2011) and Follow We This Joyful Birth (2012). While in Minnesota, Ben performed with The Singers—Minnesota Choral Artists, a professional choral ensemble under the direction of Matthew Culloton.
Ben holds a Bachelor of Music in piano from Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, a Master of Music in choral conducting from the University of Colorado-Boulder, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Literature and Performance from the University of Colorado-Boulder. Ben lives in Oakland, CA, with his husband, the Rev. John F. Dwyer, and their very sweet Bernedoodle, Hudson.
The Board of Directors
Resound Ensemble's Board of Directors is assembled from individuals active in support of the arts. As a working board, each member is charged with the responsibility of developing the goals of the organization.
Kristen Schultz Oliver, Board Chair
Victoria Lee, Secretary
Jeff Johnson, Interim Treasurer
Members at Large:
David Ahn
Maeve Barton
Lindsey Clopp
Fiona Friedland
Elaine Robertson
Board Opportunities
We would love to talk to individuals interested in learning more about our organization and potentially joining our Board. If you would like to to contribute to Resound Ensemble's management, marketing and success, please contact our Board Chair, Kristen Schultz Oliver.
Founding Director
Ryan Connolly