Plymouth Oratorio Society
Our Conductors, Present and Past
Dr. Richard Ingram
Richard Ingram is the retired choral director and chairman of the Music Department from Ann Arbor Huron High School. 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 United States, 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 Capella 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 ar 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 time, In 2003 they received Grammy Signature Gold rating, signifying it as one of the top seven high school music departments in the country.
2024 marks Dr. Ingram's 16th season with the Plymouth Oratorio Society. He has greatly enjoyed the experience and looks forward to many years of music-making with these fine musicians.
Dr. Leonard Riccinto
Until his untimely death on December 11, 2006, Dr. Leonard L. Riccinto served as Professor of Music at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He directed the University and Chamber Choirs, supervised student teachers, and taught choral conducting and secondary school vocal methods. He directed Measure for Measure from its founding in 1988.
Dr. Riccinto earned his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of Michigan School of Music. He was awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts degree by Michigan State University in 1985. He was also a veteran of twenty years of public school teaching at the secondary level, holding positions in the Grosse Pointe and Battle Creek school systems in Michigan.
He was past president of the American Choral Directors Association - Michigan, and a member of the Michigan School Vocal Music Association. Dr. Riccinto was also the director of the Plymouth Oratorio Society, and served as a guest clinician and adjudicator.
On January 13, 2007, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to male choral singing in America, Dr. Leonard Riccinto was posthumously awarded the 2007 Marshall Bartholomew Award by the Intercollegiate Men's Choruses, a national association of male choruses.
Robert Pratt
For 25 years, Robert Pratt was chairman of the music department, director of choral activities and founder of the music history portion of the humanities program at Pioneer High School. His name is listed on the Ann Arbor Public Schools’ Roll of Honor. He was also involved in a host of local musical endeavors, and conducted the annual Community “Messiah” Sing from 1988-2007.
Long active in church music, Pratt was director of music at Ann Arbor’s Zion Lutheran Church and conductor of the Chancel Choir at the First United Methodist Church. He was the founding conductor of the Plymouth Oratorio Society and also conducted the Ann Arbor Cantata Singers. His involvement with the Youth for Understanding Chorale from 1964-73 led to 10 tours of Europe and South America, appearing in major concert halls and on radio and TV. After the chorales ended, Pratt and his wife, Mary, spent a sabbatical year in Brazil studying Brazilian culture and music and conducting and teaching. He conducted a reunion concert of the Youth for Understanding Chorale in June 2008.
He received his degrees from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and the University of Michigan School of Music. He trained Huron High choral director Richard Ingram and Pioneer High choral director Ken Westerman.
A member, song leader and past president of the Ann Arbor Rotary Club, Pratt was designated an Honorary Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary's highest award, and was recently honored with emeritus status.
Robert Pratt passed away on November 30, 2009.