Music to Sustain…Celebrate…Affirm!
We recognize that music is a powerful way to bring communities together. Let’s hope and dream!
Greenwich Choral Society is planning a full season for 2020/2021, conditions permitting. Given the evolving situation, the programs and dates may have to change but we are committed to continuing the GCS tradition of bringing fine music to our audience. Subscribe here to receive updates
The Greenwich Choral Society’s mission is to enrich our community's appreciation of music through performances of the highest quality and through educational programs that seek to nurture future singers and audiences alike. Throughout our almost 100 year old history, the GCS has celebrated black lives through our performances of great black music, our choice of soloists, and our programming, which has highlighted some of the best black musicians and composers.
The music of the black community is an integral part of American music, and the Greenwich Choral Society has honored its importance throughout our history. We have performed a large variety of musical genres over the years including folk songs, spirituals, and gospel music. Some of the highlights include the commission of “I Have A Dream” by James Furman in 1970, who was a black composer and good friend of Martin Luther King Jr.. In December of 1992, the GCS performed movements from “Lost in the Stars,” a musical about a black Anglican priest from a small South African village, with soloists from the 1992 recording by Music Masters and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. In addition, the GCS performed the “Gospel Mass” by Robert Ray in 2002 under the direction of Paul F. Mueller.
Throughout the years, the Greenwich Choral Society has collaborated with many groups and has sung with prominent soloists from the black community. We have performed with The Boys Choir of Harlem, the Prayer Tabernacle Church Mass Choir of Bridgeport, CT and The Sanctuary Choir of the Union Baptist Church of Stamford, CT. Soloists have included Cynthia Clarey, Arthur Woodley, Seth McCoy, Ben Holt, Edward Pleasant, Karen Williams, and Jeanette Thompson.
Finally, the programming of the Greenwich Choral Society has highlighted many important black composers, such as Duke Ellington, Scott Joplin, William Dawson, Betty Jackson King, Margaret Bonds, Jester Hairston, Adolphus Hailstork, and Billy Strayhorn.
The Greenwich Choral Society acknowledges the racial injustice and police brutality in America, and we want to state that Black Lives Matter. Our hearts go out to all those in the black community who suffer at the hands of inequality. We also stand in solidarity with those who with courage are peacefully demonstrating on behalf of justice and social reform in our country. We have and will continue to promote black music, soloists, and composers, because the Greenwich Choral Society believes that Black Lives Matter.
A message from Maestro Paul Mueller addressing the COVID-19 crisis.
Photo montage message
In Concert
2020-2021 Season Program
December: Hopes and Dreams
- seasonal delights
March: Beethoven 2020-2021!!!!
- a birthday celebration
Singing with us
We welcome new voices!
Auditions are held before the beginning of rehearsals for each concert. Bring your own music and/or expect to sight read some provided music.
Find out more about being a chorus member and to make an appointment for an audition.
Reaching Out
We support music and our community with commissioned works, education, and scholarships
Greenwich Time review
With candles and chimes, chants and "ooohs and aaahs," the Christmas Concert of the Greenwich Choral Society immediately wrapped the audience in its wondrous annual Christmas music experience. And an ethereal experience it was, with perennial magic in the musicianship of Director and Conductor Paul Mueller, who always seems to find cultural music, religious cantatas and masses, unusual arrangements of well-known carols and soloists that are simply transporting. From its opening Huron Indian carol to works by Benjamin Britten, Rachmaninoff and Debussy, to joyful arrangements of time-honored carols and liturgical Kyrie Eleison, the concerts are simply unique.