The Metro: Detroit’s oldest choir has a new director
Lauren Myers, Cary Junior II, The Metro April 8, 2025Rackham Choir’s new artistic director, Julian Goods, joined the show to share more about the choir and Detroit’s rich musical history.

Julian Goods has been named the new artistic director of the Rackham Choir.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Julian Goods
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The Rackham Choir has been a vital part of Detroit’s rich musical tapestry for more than 75 years.
Founded in 1949, Rackham is Detroit’s oldest choir, and throughout its long history has collaborated with several Detroit arts institutions like the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Opera Theatre, Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, and the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble.
In February, Rackham named vocal music teacher and choral conductor Julian Goods as the choir’s new artistic director. The move comes after the chorus’ previous director, Dr. Brandon Waddles, accepted a leadership position with a national tour of “The Wiz.”
Goods made his official debut with Rackham this past Sunday at their spring concert, “A Celebration of Love and Joy,“ at Hartford Memorial Church in Detroit.
He joined The Metro on Tuesday to share more about the performance, Rackham Choir and Detroit’s influence on music history.
Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.
More stories from The Metro on Tuesday, April 8:
- Fighting food waste with composting in metro Detroit
- Investigation probes unprecedented number of journalists killed in Gaza
- ‘Jazz-A-Bet’ book bridges music history and children’s literature
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Authors
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Cary Junior II is an audio journalist and producer for The Metro on 101.9 WDET. Cary has worked as a producer or host on a number of projects. His work includes short and longform audio, documentary series and daily radio. In his five year career in journalism he has worked for Crooked Media, the Detroit Free Press, and now WDET - Detroit's NPR station.
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