The choir consists primarily of Russian singers who have immigrated to the United States from Russia, China, and various European countries. It has been formed into a well-tuned instrument by the artistry of Mikhail S. Konstantinov, who had vast experience as an opera singer and conductor of a Cathedral Choir, the Symphony, and the Opera in Kiev. This artistry prompted the San Francisco Chronicle
columnist Herb Caen to write of the choir that it is "...the best church choir in town. OPERATIC!" The choir has sung many concerts in the Bay Area with such great artists as Metropolitan Opera tenor Nicolai Gedda. Retiring in 1979, Konstantinov, turned over the choir to his young student Vladimir Krassovsky, who has kept prominent the high quality of singing and artistry within the chorus. Vladimir Krassovsky studied piano under V.N. Kostevich for thirteen years. Continuing his musical education at San Francisco State University, Mr. Krassovsky was also tutored by Mikhail Konstantinov in conducting and in the art of Russian choral singing. Becoming conductor of the Saints Cyril and Methodius Youth Choir in 1970, Mr. Krassovsky built it from a ten-voice to a strong seventy-voice chorus. Krassovsky relinquished his post in 1979 upon his appointment to the Holy Virgin Cathedral Choir.
