ChoralArt (formerly The Choral Art Society) was founded in 1972 when a group of singers invited Dr. Harold Brown, newly appointed Professor of Music at the University of Southern Maine, to become their conductor. The original ensemble, ChoralArt Singers, was formed through auditions, bringing together musicians united by a shared commitment to choral excellence. Following Dr. Brown’s retirement in 1979, Dr. Robert Russell was appointed Music Director. That same year, strong interest from the choral community led to significant growth: after a large round of auditions, the ensemble expanded from 36 to 50 singers. ChoralArt’s collaboration with the Portland Symphony Orchestra began in 1983 when the chorus made its ChoralArt Masterworks debut in a performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. In the mid-1990s, ChoralArt expanded its artistic vision with the creation of a chamber ensemble. In 1996, ChoralArt Camerata made its debut, dedicated to the performance of a cappella repertoire.

Today, ChoralArt maintains three ensembles. The ChoralArt Masterworks performs major symphonic choral works annually with the Portland Symphony Orchestra and occasionally presents additional concerts. The ChoralArt Singers serves as the core ensemble for Masterworks performances and presents the annual Christmas at the Cathedral concert series, along with additional performances throughout the season. The ChoralArt Camerata performs the annual An Epiphany Celebration, focusing on intimate a cappella repertoire.

Recent highlights include the world premiere of FIRE!, a 30-minute oratorio commemorating the Great Portland Fire of 1866, commissioned by ChoralArt from New England composer Travis Ramsey. Other recent performances include Orff’s Carmina Burana, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Verdi’s Requiem, and Bernstein’s Symphony No. 3 “Kaddish” with the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Additional collaborations and performances include Grand Opera Meets the Mighty Kotzschmar with Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ; Brahms’s rarely performed four-hand piano transcription of his German Requiem; Fauré’s Requiem; the New England premiere of Robert Cohen’s Alzheimer’s Stories; and Mozart’s Requiem and Karl Jenkins’s The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace with Portland Ballet.

Mission Statement

Through its dedication to excellence in choral performance, ChoralArt engages and inspires its singers and greater community through compelling performances, innovative artistic collaborations, and stimulating outreach activities.

Vision Statement

ChoralArt will be a model arts organization, enriching the cultural life of our community and the musical experience of our singers through:

• High artistic standards
• Diverse programming
• Innovative programming
• Singers’ education
• Outreach