Rossen Milanov, Music Director

Next Event:

Frank Sinatra and Beyond!

May 9, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Chorus


The CSO Chorus holds auditions several times throughout the year, attracting singers with substantial choral experience to join the organization in performing choral masterworks with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra under the inspiring leadership of Music Director, Rossen Milanov, and Principal Pops Conductor, Stuart Chafetz.

stephen caracciolo

Stephen Caracciolo is the Chorus Director of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, preparing the CSO Chorus for appearances in the Masterworks concert series and conducting community performances of the CSO Chamber Choir. Dr. Caracciolo is a conductor recognized for his passionate artistry and creative leadership in interpreting an expansive range of the choral repertoire, including choral-orchestral works, Renaissance and Baroque motets, German-Romantic part songs, French chansons, the sacred literature of the English and Russian churches, opera choruses, American folk songs and spirituals, and works by living composers.

For twelve years he was a professional choral bass at Washington National Cathedral where he also served as the cover conductor for masses, choral evenings, and special services. He has performed choral masterworks with the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Juilliard Orchestra, the American Symphony, and the orchestra of Washington National Cathedral with such renowned conductors as Robert Shaw, Zubin Mehta, Riccardo Muti, Kurt Masur, Erich Kunzel, Michael McCarthy, and James Levine.

Known nationally as a composer and arranger, Caracciolo’s choral works are performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe. He is a composer with MorningStar Music Publishers, E.C. Schirmer, Kjos Music, and Roger Dean Publishing, and is active as a consultant for various educational, ecclesiastical, and professional organizations. His publications—including commissions for the acclaimed professional vocal ensemble, Cantus—appear on numerous professional, collegiate, and cathedral repertoire lists, and may be heard on nationally distributed recordings as well as syndicated radio broadcasts including the well-known Sunday program, With Heart and Voice.

Dr. Caracciolo concurrently serves as Artistic Director of ProArteOHIO, Central Ohio’s premier professional vocal ensemble. Under his leadership, the ensemble consistently garners high praise for its beauty of tone, remarkable blend, and exceptional commitment to elegant text phrasing. Previous conducting posts include the Maryland Choral Society and choral ensembles at the University of Maryland-Baltimore, Roberts Wesleyan College, the Ohio University School of Music, and Denison University. Caracciolo holds a doctoral degree in conducting from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, a master’s degree in conducting from Westminster Choir College, and a bachelor’s degree in music education from the Capital University Conservatory of Music.

Casey L. Cook

Casey L. Cook began piano study at the age of four and was accompanying by the age of ten. Two of her most influential teachers were Mary Craig Powell, who nurtured her musical growth for fifteen years , and Dr. Nelita True at the Eastman School of Music. 

An accompanist for over 35 years, Ms. Cook has been honored to accompany national and regional honor choirs for the American Choral Directors Association, the Organization of American Kodály Educators, the Ohio Choral Directors Association, and the Ohio Music Educators Association.  Cook has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall annually since 2020.  Highlights of these performances included Andrea Ramsey’s Suffrage Cantata, scored for piano, string quartet, and women’s chorus, and also a premiere of a work by Andrea Clearfield, Home in Me.  

Currently, Ms. Cook serves as principal pianist for all of the choral ensembles at The Ohio State University School of Music.  In addition to her academic appointment, Cook is also a pianist for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra Chorus.  The 2024-2025 CSO season will be her 25th year with the chorus. In 2011 she joined the CSO as an Associate Member of the orchestra.   

Cook is also a pianist for Mirabai, a professional women’s choir under the direction of Dr. Sandra Snow, and is the accompanist for Suzuki Music Columbus which serves over 120 violin, viola, and cello students in the central Ohio area. 

When not on the piano bench, you can find Ms. Cook on the golf course, chasing birdies.