Remembering Richard Garrin Pekala

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra family mourns the passing of Richard Garrin Pekala, a member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and an assistant and associate conductor of the ensemble from 1974 until 1992. He died on August 7, 2024, in Summit, New Jersey, following a brief illness at the age of 73.

Born in Chicago on March 18, 1951, Pekala attended St. Laurence High School, later earning a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University and a master’s degree in conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. In 1974, he was invited by founding director Margaret Hillis to join the Chicago Symphony Chorus. Hillis later promoted Garrin to serve as assistant conductor from 1982 until 1987 and associate conductor from 1987 until 1992. During his tenure he prepared the ensemble for Daniel Barenboim, James Conlon, Hillis, Erich Kunzel, James Levine, Zubin Mehta, Leonard Slatkin, Sir Georg Solti and Michael Tilson Thomas for a wide range of works including Beethoven’s Missa solemnis and Ninth Symphony, Brahms’ Requiem, Britten’s War Requiem, Ives’ Fourth Symphony, Mahler’s Eighth Symphony and Verdi’s Requiem, among others.

In 1979, Pekala founded the Windy City Gay Chorus (now a part of Windy City Performing Arts) and served as its director for 15 years. Under his baton, the ensemble appeared in Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, Avery Fisher Hall in New York, Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis and Boettcher Hall in Denver, as well as at state and regional conventions of the American Choral Directors Association. Pekala was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 1993.

As a professional singer, Pekala also performed with Lyric Opera Chorus, the Norman Luboff Choir and under Fred Waring. As a conductor, he was affiliated with numerous ensembles, including Springfield Symphony Chorus, Park Forest Singers, Seattle Symphony Chorus, Seattle Men’s Chorus, Voices Chicago, Summit Chorale and Masterworks Chorale and Orchestra of San Mateo. A lifelong educator, Pekala taught private voice, gave countless workshops and clinics and appeared as a guest conductor with ensembles across the country.

In 1992, Pekala expressed that his desire to sing and conduct was a “calling to the stewardship of choral music [and] I never seemed to question what else I could possibly do when I grew up. I am privileged to be afforded the opportunity to make a career at music making.” 

Richard Garrin Pekala is survived by his husband Francis Quilang. Details for services are pending.

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