ChoralFest USA was created to delight and inspire audiences with performances of choral works written by American composers since the time of Aaron Copland, the dean of American composers. Our first event in 2015 was a huge success.
Click here to see a review >
In 2016 we expanded repertoire options to include non-American composers as well, both past and present. Our 2016 and 2017 event were also a huge success. Choirs from across the country may apply. We look forward to our next marathon concert on Saturday, June 2, 2018 from 3-10PM, If your choir is interested in performing, please download, fill in and return the application.
About ChoralFest USA
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This annual event, held at Symphony Space on Broadway and 95th Street in New York City, features over a dozen choirs from the New York region and beyond, singing in a FREE marathon concert. Each choir selected through the application process will perform for 15 to 20 minutes. Audience members may come and go, or remain the entire time.
The final performance will include the audience plus choir members in a sing-along of Randall Thompson’s most popular work, “Alleluia.” Our hope and dream is to give choirs public exposure in an important New York City venue, to inspire choir directors to explore the vast repertoire of American and other choral music for future concerts, and to instill and reinforce a love of choral music to audience members.
2017 Choirs
Promise Children’s Choir
Russian Chamber Chorus of New York
JFK High School Variety Choir
New York Bulgarian Women’s Choir
Kairos
University at Buffalo Choir
The Riverside Church Inspirational Choir
C4: The Choral Composer/Conductor Collective
Voices of Gotham
The Canticum Novum Singers
The New York Virtuoso Singers
LaGuardia High School Women’s Choir
2016 Choirs
JFK High School Variety Choir
University at Buffalo Choir
Promise Children's Choir
Suffolk Singers
LaGuardia High School Women's Choir
eVoco Voice Collective
Ghostlight
Lavender Light
The Canticum Novum Singers
2015 Choirs
Angelica's Women's Chamber Choir
Zamir Chorale
Riverside Church Inspirational Choir
Voices of Gotham
Chameleonic
Connecticut Chamber Choir
Empire City Men's Chorus
Ghostlight Chorus
New Amsterdam Singers
C4: The Choral
Composer/Conductor Collective
The Canticum Novum Singers
The New York Virtuoso Singers
How to Participate
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Please download > and fill in the informational form to apply for participation in the June 3, 2017 concert.
Applications must include a proposed repertoire of music (15 to 25 minutes total, including pauses) and links to audio/visual samples of the choir in performance. There are no application fees or participation fees for choirs performing in ChoralFest USA.
Choirs may present a cappella music or music for choir and instruments. All ensembles using instruments other than a piano will provide their own players and instruments at their own expense. A piano will be available to choirs for the concert.
What a joy it was to hear so many wonderful voices raised in song - Choral Fest was a beautiful event! Thank you, Harold Rosenbaum.
Regina, Regina Ryan Publishing Enterprises, Inc.
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When the founder of an event comes to conduct some of his own choirs, the audience experiences the breadth of musical tradition along the timeline. Working alongside other choirs opens the experience to the many types and methods of choral music. — Dora Kolin
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Attending the Choralfest at Symphonyspace last Saturday was a unique experience. Never in my career have I attended such an intense choral event in such a friendly and informal setting.— Reuben Pace Composer and producer Siggiewi, Malta, Europe
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It was incredibly inspiring to experience the artistry that dedicated people can create when they raise their voices together. The ads promised “a celebration of the diversity of choral music” – and the event certainly lived up to expectations! — Cheers, Elsa
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For choral conductors, singers, and devoted audience members, Choralfest offers a unique opportunity to hear the entire spectrum of choral music presented by student, community, and professional choirs on one stage, on one day. We were thrilled to add our voices to this important celebration of the diversity in American choral singing.” — Alice Cavanaugh, Suffolk Singers of Suffolk County Community College, Long Island N.Y.
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It was a great challenge and honor to participate in Choralfest USA with other choirs. Thanks to Director Harold to invite and give an opportunity to our Promise Children's Choir.Thank you! — Sung Jin Jun ___________________________________________________________________
"A wonderful opportunity to meet and greet conductors, singers, and composers from all over the city!" — Dr. Evelyn Troester DeGraf
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Participating in ChoralFest USA was an awe inspiring experience for Lavender Light.The level of musical excellence on display that afternoon was a pleasure to behold. Getting to perform on the stage at Symphony Space was a special treat. Many thanks to Harold and Edie, for making this wonderful event possible year after year.— Yours in Song, Maria-Elena Grant Chorus Manager, Lavender Light Gospel Choir
Contact Us
We will make full use of social media, as well as print and broadcast outlets, and online calendars, to market this event. Each performing choir will be listed on our website and in our press releases.