Mary Chapman is a graduate of Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, where she received her Music degree in Vocal Performance. While there, she was featured in several Opera Workshop productions, in roles that include Pitti-Sing in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, Adele in Die Fledermaus, the Mother in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Susanna in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.
Upon her graduation, Ms. Chapman returned to St. Louis and her first musical love, choral singing, when she joined the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. As section leader for the chorus, she was often assigned to be a rehearsal soloist for upcoming performances, thus affording her the opportunity to be a soloist for some of the world’s most illustrious conductors. Those performances included Haydn’s Harmoniemesse under the direction of Franz Welser-Möst; Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, under the direction of the late Robert Shaw; and Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection,” Mozart’s Mass in c-minor, and Barber’s Prayers of Kierkegaard, all under the direction of Leonard Slatkin.
In 1999, Ms. Chapman became a member of the St. Louis Chamber Chorus, and was honored to be featured as the soloist in Aaron Copland's stunning single-movement motet for soprano and chorus, In the Beginning, during the Chorus's 50th anniversary season. Touted as the Midwest’s premier professional a cappella ensemble, the Chamber Chorus presents six programs each season which include both canonical works of choral music, as well as the less familiar and several world premières, and has an enviable history of championing both neglected and newly written repertoire in countless outstanding performances.
In addition to choral singing, Ms. Chapman has expanded her abilities to include choral conducting. She has served as adult choir director for the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion in University City, Missouri, since 2004. She has also furthered her association with the Chamber Chorus when she was named Assistant Conductor in 2009.
When not involved in choral singing, Ms. Chapman still performs as a solo artist, and can be heard in performances throughout the St. Louis area. Her appearances included Saint-Saëns’ A Christmas Oratorio, Handel’s The Messiah (with the St. Louis Metro Singers), and with the Manchester United Methodist Church choir and orchestra, Haydn’s The Creation, John Rutter’s Requiem and Mozart’s incomparable Requiem.