|
The Philadelphia Singers has been the mid-Atlantic region's premier chorus for over forty years, garnering national acclaim for our artistic excellence. Since 1972, the choir has consistently provided the Philadelphia community with the highest-quality performances in the choral arts and have partnered with many of the most renowned musical institutions in the region.
Founded by Curtis Institute of Music graduate Michael Korn, The Philadelphia Singers began as a 32-voice chamber ensemble that performed an extensive repertoire that ranged from Renaissance-era to contemporary works in an annual concert series.
During the 1980s, our group quickly rose to prominence and received wide-ranging artistic acclaim, allowing us to present the Philadelphia premieres of works by Francis Poulenc and Gershwin and world premieres of Romeo Cascarino's William Penn and Vincent Persichetti's Flower Songs. That decade saw The Singers begin their recording relationship with RCA Red Seal/Sony Masterworks, with whom they have collaborated on several recordings, including: “Handel: Roman Vespers”, “Gloria! Gloria!”, and “Ceremony of Carols”: Works by Benjamin Britten, Francis Poulenc, and Ottorino Respighi, featuring soprano Benita Valente.
In 1991, The Philadelphia Singers continued thir expansion through the establishment of The Philadelphia Singers Chorale, a symphonic ensemble which draws from a pool of over 150 talented volunteers as well as our core of professional singers. The following year, esteemed conductor David Hayes succeeded Michael Korn as Artistic Director of the Singers, guiding the ensemble to even greater achievements. Under the baton of Maestro Hayes, The Philadelphia Singers has continued to premiere new works, including world premieres and commissions of works by David Shapiro, Robert Capanna, Thomas Whitman, and Jennifer Higdon, among others.
The Chorale has served as the Resident Chorus of the Philadelphia Orchestra, performed with the Pennsylvania Ballet and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and graced the stage of Carnegie Hall. The Philadelphia Singers' commitment to artistic excellence and community enrichment remains the cornerstone of the organization as they continue to provide concert-goers with only the finest choral experiences, featuring challenging and exciting programs performed by a highly talented ensemble of singers.
In addition to their concert activities, The Philadelphia Singers is an an active member of the Philadelphia community. For over a decade, they have sponsored a variety of community outreach programs, with an emphasis on making music education and concert experiences accessible to all students in the region. Through their mentorship program, school outreach performances, and community sing-ins, hundreds of Philadelphia-area children have received an introduction to or a continuation of their arts education from some of the best artists |
