Ars Choralis ignited the musical life of the Woodstock, NY, arts community with its first concert at the Dutch Reformed Church on June 12, 1966. Since that time, the group has been unfailing in its pledge to provide the community with the world’s finest choral music.
Drawing its membership from throughout New York’s Hudson River Valley, Ars Choralis reflects the Valley’s diverse artistic community, including professional musicians, writers, teachers, lawyers, nurses, builders, students, clergy, gardeners, editors, etc. Though diverse in their professions and backgrounds, members share a common joy of singing, and the deep spirituality that each one brings to the group imbues every performance with a special quality that belongs to Ars Choralis alone.
The chorus meets for rehearsal on Sunday evenings in an upstairs room of Christ’s Lutheran Church in Woodstock and begins blending voices, learning new music, and preparing for the three major concerts presented each year. Rehearsing two hours a week, they perform a constantly changing repertoire. Undaunted by its modest size, Ars Choralis has successfully taken on great masterworks; presented chamber music from all periods and genres; commissioned and premiered new music; and dusted off forgotten pieces, bringing them to new audiences. From Gregorian and Serum chant to modern gospel, from Baroque to opera, from folk to collaboration with other musical groups in the community, they continually strive to bring their audience innovative programming, alone and in conjunction with other music groups such as The Brass Ring, The Woodstock Chamber Orchestra, The St. Cecelia Chamber Orchestra, the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, the joyful gospel choir of Riverview Missionary Baptist Church, and the Hudson Valley Youth Chorale. In addition, Ars Choralis has been featured performers on major Concert Series such as Maverick Concerts and the Rhinebeck Chamber Music Series.
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At the dawn of the new millennium, Ars Choralis offered their prayers of hope and love to the universe through their “Messengers of Peace” concert on New Year’s Eve, 2000/2001. On the first anniversary of 9/11, Ars Choralis presented a special performance of this concert to a standing-room-only audience at the Woodstock Playhouse. Reaching out to perform for and with others, Ars Choralis’ members believe deeply in music’s ability to touch the heart, expand one’s horizons, and break down barriers between people.
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