The chorus is committed to creating a needed renaissance of culture based on principles of classical composition, as represented by the masters such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms, and also African-American Spirituals in keeping with the tradition of Hall Johnson, Harry T. Burleigh and others, as part of the classical tradition and an important American contribution to great music. We are a volunteer chorus, and believe that anyone willing to put in the effort, regardless of age, ... Read More
The chorus is committed to creating a needed renaissance of culture based on principles of classical composition, as represented by the masters such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms, and also African-American Spirituals in keeping with the tradition of Hall Johnson, Harry T. Burleigh and others, as part of the classical tradition and an important American contribution to great music. We are a volunteer chorus, and believe that anyone willing to put in the effort, regardless of age, previous training, financial situation, or other background should have access to and be able to achieve a high quality of expression of classical music and art. We teach the Italian bel canto placement of the voice, and rehearse and perform at the proper scientific tuning, as advocated by Giuseppe Verdi, of Middle C = 256 Hz (A no higher than 432 Hz).
From its beginning in 2014, the Schiller Institute NYC Chorus produced over two dozen major concerts in the greater NYC area by 2018 , along with much other community-based activity, such as an annual Thanksgiving event at a Veterans Home in Harlem, an annual July 4th Ceremony at the green in Newton NJ, holiday events, and many small concerts and recitals. We also presented periodic "music evenings," which are more informal and allow newcomers and friends to get to know the chorus, and also participate in occasional lectures and discussions of music history, performance technique and other subjects.
On November 18th, 2018, we celebrated the Poet of Freedom and proponent of the American Revolution, Friedrich Schiller at St. Bartholomew’s on Park Ave, featuring Beethoven’s Mass in C and also his Choral Fantasia, along with a Schiller setting by Brahms, a selection of African-American Spirituals and celebrity readings from Schiller. We had a chorus of over 100 singers, a 44 piece orchestra and soloists.
2019 was our largest concert year to date, culminating in the performance of the choral movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony on December 17th, 2019 at Carnegie Hall, beginning the year long celebration for the Beethoven 250th birth anniversary planned for December, 2020.
The Chorus began an intensive study of Beethoven's Opus 123 Missa Solemnis for a December, 2020 performance to complete the Beethoven Year. When the severe restrictions to performing mandated by the Covid pandemic hit in March 2020, the Schiller Institute Chorus rapidly innovated with online rehearsals, virtual performances and online classes and lectures pertaining to the repertory and history of of classical, spiritual and folk music. On September 11, 2020 the Chorus presented a virtual performance of the first movement, Kyrie, quite a feat with no in-person rehearsals. By April, 2021, we produced virtual performances of the Gloria, and Credo movements, and presented the final Sanctus and Agnus Dei movements on September 10, 2021 as part of a hybrid virtual/in-person broadcast concert from Our Lady of Pompeii RC Church in Greenwich Village.
By December, 2021, we were back to live concerts, and on Friday, October 20th, 2023, the Schiller Institute NYC Chorus received a Motif Award Fine Arts Medal for Humanitarianism and Excellence in the Arts. The awards ceremony was held at Carnegie Hall (Weill Recital Hall) and was attended by many members and friends of our chorus as well as Board members. The award was accepted by Jennifer Pearl, Chair of the Board of the SI NYC Chorus.
Here is an excerpt from the nomination letter from Motif Awards: “Your choir's humanitarian endeavors have left an indelible mark, offering solace and inspiration to individuals and communities alike. Through the universal language of music, you have fostered unity, championed diversity, and disseminated messages of hope, compassion, and understanding. Your dedication to utilizing music as a conduit for healing, uplifting, and bridging divides is nothing short of commendable.” https://www.sinycchorus.com/schiller_chorus_wins_humanitarian_fine_arts_...
A record of most of our major past events can be found at www.sinycchorus.com/past_events.
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