St. Cecilia Chorus

The St. Cecilia Chorus is one of the finest performing choirs in New York City.

The Chorus was founded in 1906 as a women's chorus by Metropolitan Opera coach Victor Harris who served as its conductor until 1936, when Leon Barzin directed through 1937. In 1938 Willard Sektberg took over until 1942, when Hugh Ross became conductor, to be succeeded in the late 1950s by David L. Buttolph. In 1964, the St. Cecilia's Chorus became a chorus of mixed voices. In 1965, David Randolph became music director. In 1969, the Chorus had its first concert in Carnegie Hall. In addition to its now traditional twice-yearly Carnegie Hall concerts, some of which were broadcast live on WNYC Radio, the Chorus has appeared in other venues, including Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.

The St. Cecilia Chorus is one of the finest performing choirs in New York City . The Chorus was founded in 1906 as a women's chorus by Metropolitan Opera coach Victor Harris, who served as its conductor until 1936. In 1922 The St. Cecilia Chorus participated in the first New York performances of Mahler's Third Symphony, with the Philharmonic Society of New York under Willem Mengelberg . These performances were held in the old Metropolitan Opera House and repeated in Carnegie Hall. Leon Barzin directed the chorus through the 1936-1937 season, after which Willard Sektberg took over until 1942. Hugh Ross became conductor in 1942, to be suceeded in the late 1950s by David L. Buttolph . In 1964, The St. Cecilia Chorus became a chorus of mixed voices. Then, in 1965, David Randolph became music director, and in 1969 the Chorus had its first concert in Carnegie Hall.

In addition to its now traditional twice-yearly Carnegie Hall concerts, some of which were broadcast live on WNYC Radio, the Chorus has appeared in other venues, including Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, The Riverside Church, St. Bartholomew's Church, St. George's Church, and The Church of the Heavenly Rest.