Over Fifty Years of Tradition
The Sierra High Notes promotes and educates about vocal music, exposing the public to this time-honored art form, keeping alive this lovely tradition for the community.
Starting as the Reno Civic Chorus and more recently the Sierra Nevada Masterworks Chorale, the Sierra High Notes has been performing vocal music in Northern Nevada for over 50 years. An integral part of Reno’s vibrant arts scene, the Sierra High Notes is one of the area’s most established amateur choral organizations with a chorus of men and women from a variety of backgrounds performing a variety of works.
Honoring Richard Lee, Retired Musical Director
Under the direction of Maestro Richard Lee, the Sierra Nevada MasterWorks Chorale first gained national recognition in 1985 as one of two choral groups selected to perform at the 50th Presidential Inaugural Parade for President Ronald Reagan in Washington, D.C.
In 1992, Encore International Discovery invited the Sierra Nevada MasterWorks Chorale to perform in a celebration co-hosted by the United States, the Dominican Republic and Spain to mark the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas.
The Sierra Nevada MasterWorks Chorale earned a standing ovation for performances in New York City’s Carnegie Hall in 1994 and 1996 and performed at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City in 1997.
Among its many local venues are performances at the Pioneer Center, Nightingale Concert Hall, Wingfield Park, opening of the Nevada Legislature and State-of-the-State address by Governor Kenny Guinn, liturgical concerts in local churches, and special civic dedications and memorials.
Through Mr. Lee’s talent, the Cho
rale has risen from an amateur musical group to prominence in Northern Nevada’s artistic community. Born in Chunking, China, Mr. Lee was trained in Taiwan, first as a soloist and then as a conductor. He received a Master’s Degree from Brigham Young University, where he won numerous honors. He’s served on the faculty at University of Nevada Reno and Sierra Nevada College and most recently at Truckee Meadows Community College.
Mr. Lee retired from his position as Musical Director in January 2017. The chorale honors Mr. Lee’s years of dedication and hard work with a richly deserved standing ovation.