The Cecilia Chorus of New York
Introduction The '''Cecilia Chorus of New York''', formerly known as the '''St. Cecilia Chorus''', is an avocational chorus and nonprofit organization based in New York City.With a membership of approximately 180 singers, the chorus performs twice annually at Carnegie Hall with a professional orchestra and soloists, as well as at other New York–area venues.
History ===Early years===Victor HarrisA secular, unaffiliated organization, the Chorus was founded in 1906 as a women's chorus. Its nucleus formed in 1900 when a small group of women began meeting to sing together at each other's Manhattan homes on Tuesday mornings. The principal organizers were Susan Warren and Mrs. Henry Burden; the pianist and leader was Elliot Schenck. Warren, Burden and their colleagues established an all-women's chorus which they named the Tuesday Morning Singing Club. Membership was by invitation only, and rehearsals were held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. In 1906, the Tuesday Morning Singing Club invited Metropolitan Opera coach Victor Harris to be their conductor. Harris accepted on the conditions that rehearsals be held at his studio and that the musical work be in earnest. Thus was the "Saint Cecilia Club" founded in 1906.Under Harris's leadership the Saint Cecilia Club grew rapidly to become a prominent choral organization in New York City.In 1922, while still a women's group (as it remained until 1965), the Chorus won significant attention when it appeared with The Philharmonic Society of New York under Willem Mengelberg in the first New York performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 3.During this period, the Chorus gave several dozen world and U.S. premieres, by composers including Amy Beach, Deems Taylor, and Virgil Thomson.Harris continued as the Chorus's Music Director until 1936; he was succeeded by Léon Barzin (1936–37), Willard Sektberg (1937–42), Hugh Ross (1942–195? ), David Buttolph (195?–1965), David Randolph (1965–2010) and Mark Shapiro (since 2011).===David Randolph===In 1965, when David Buttolph resigned, Chorus members recalled that they had enjoyed working with David Randolph when he substituted at a rehearsal in October 1959.The Chorus tapped Randolph to become their sixth Music Director; he continued in this role until his death in 2010.Under Randolph's direction, the Chorus grew in size and ability, and in 1969 performed its first concert in Carnegie Hall. In addition to its twice-yearly Carnegie Hall concerts, some of which were broadcast live on WNYC Radio, Randolph led the Chorus in other major venues, including Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall (now David Geffen Hall).In April 1981, prompted by the popularity of the Broadway play ''Amadeus'', the Chorus performed a program in Carnegie Hall featuring the U.S. premiere of Antonio Salieri's ''Mass No. 1'' juxtaposed with Mozart's ''Great Mass in C minor''. The program was broadcast on WNYC. ''Amadeus'' author Peter Shaffer attended and spoke from the stage.In December 1986, also in Carnegie Hall, the Chorus gave the North American premiere of ''Oratorium nach Bildern der Bibel'' by Fanny Mendelssohn, sister of Felix Mendelssohn.During his 37 years with The Masterwork Chorus, Randolph specialized in conducting Handel's ''Messiah''. These performances became a seasonal tradition in New York City. In 1995, Randolph directed the St. Cecilia Chorus in its first performances of ''Messiah''. The two performances at Carnegie Hall were notably successful. By popular demand the work was brought back for two performances on December 20, 1997, and for performances led by Randolph in 2005 and 2008, and by his successor Mark Shapiro in 2011, 2013, 2015 and subsequently.In 1993, members of the Chorus made a recording with Liza Minnelli for the benefit of AIDS research. In 1996, a small group of Chorus members appeared as Christmas carolers in ''The Preacher's Wife'', a major motion picture starring Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington.During Randoph's tenure, the Chorus also performed under other conductors including Lukas Foss, John Alldis, John Nelson, Romano Gandolfi it (La Scala), Peter Tiboris, and Eve Queler (Opera Orchestra of New York).3===Mark Shapiro===In July 2011, after a national search,  Mark Shapiro was appointed the seventh Music Director of the Chorus. In 2012, to more clearly represent its secular, unaffiliated mission, the Chorus changed its name to The Cecilia Chorus of New York.Under Shapiro, the Chorus, while maintaining its engagement with standard repertoire, embarked on a new path of commissioning and premiering works at Carnegie Hall as well as other venues. Concurrently, the Chorus revitalized its commitment to showcasing neglected masterpieces from the past. Commissioned composers have included The Brothers Balliett, Jonathan Breit, Tom Cipullo, Raphael Fusco and Zaid Jabri. The Chorus's performance of Tom Cipullo's ''Credo for a Secular City''  (2014) was honored in 2015 with the Chorus America/ASCAP Alice Parker Award.Other notable accomplishments include the long-delayed New York premieres, both in Carnegie Hall, of two major works by Dame Ethel Smyth: the ''Mass in D'' (1891), which the Chorus performed in 2013, and ''The Prison'' (1930), which the Chorus performed in 2018.In 2012 the Chorus presented a rare revival of ''The Christmas Story'' (1949) by neglected American composer Peter Mennin, a former president of The Juilliard School, and a Marian Trilogy by early Baroque composer Isabella Leonarda. In 2018, the Chorus gave the North American premiere of the ''Messe Romane'' by Thierry Escaich. The Chorus's 2019 performance of a program in tribute to Walt Whitman, including a premiere by Jorge Martín and music by the neglected nineteenth century American composer John Knowles Paine, was broadcast on the public radio series "Pipe Dreams. "In March 2020, on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged New York City as well as many other localities, the Chorus performed The Belshazzar Project, a curated evening in five languages of settings of the Belshazzar story from The Book of Daniel ("You are weighed in the balance, and found wanting."). Composers included Alexandre Guilmant, G. F. Handel, Arseny Koreshchenko, Gioacchino Rossini and Robert Schumann, as well as Johnny Cash, Penny Prince and Harold Rome. The program additionally featured spoken texts by Byron, Dickinson and others, which were read by actor Kathleen Chalfant.
Repertoire Below is a list of performances since 1966.Performances from 2011 and later conducted by Mark Shapiro, unless otherwise indicated.Performances from 1966 through 2010 conducted by David Randolph, unless otherwise indicated. '''Composer''''''Work''''''Performance date''''''Venue'''Ames, David"Ode for St. Cecilia's Day" (world premiere)March 4, 2001Church of the Heavenly RestBach, CPEMagnificatDecember 6, 2006Carnegie HallBach, JCFWachet auf, ruft uns die StimmeDecember 10, 2016Carnegie HallBach, JEMeine Seele erhebet den HerrenDecember 10, 2016Carnegie HallBach, JSCantata No. 4, "Christ lag in Todesbanden"April 16, 1977Carnegie HallCantata No. 8, "Liebster Gott"Mar 5, 1995 Church of the Heavenly RestCantata No. 21, "Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis"February 25, 2007Church of the Heavenly RestCantata No. 50, "Nun ist das Heil"March 13, 1967The Town HallCantata No. 104, "Du Hirte Israel, höre"February 28, 1966Hunter CollegeCantata No. 106, "Gottes Zeit" January 17, 1971Riverside ChurchMarch 27, 1971Carnegie HallCantata No. 140, "Wachet auf"March 18, 1968The Town HallCantata No. 147, "Herz und Mund"April 19, 1975Carnegie HallChristmas OratorioDecember 16, 1973Carnegie HallDecember 17, 1977Carnegie HallDecember 20, 1980Carnegie HallDecember 21, 1985Carnegie HallDecember 16, 1988Carnegie HallDecember 22, 1990Carnegie HallDecember 9, 1993Carnegie HallDecember 20, 1996Carnegie HallDecember 23, 2001Carnegie HallDecember 10, 2004Carnegie HallDecember 7, 2007Carnegie HallDecember 23, 2010Carnegie Hall''Patrick Gardner, conductor''December 9, 2017Carnegie HallMagnificat, BWV 243March 2, 1970Carnegie HallDecember 17, 1982Carnegie HallDecember 7, 2002Carnegie HallDecember 10, 2016Carnegie HallMass in B minorApril 7, 1979Carnegie HallApril 6, 1984Carnegie HallApril 20, 1990Carnegie HallMay 12, 2000Carnegie HallMay 8, 2010Carnegie Hall''Patrick Gardner, conductor''Passion According to St. JohnMarch 25, 1972Carnegie HallApril 10, 1992Carnegie HallPassion According to St. MatthewApril 4, 1987Carnegie HallMay 14, 2004Carnegie HallBalliett,  Brad &  DougOedipus the King (world premiere)March 12, 2017Church of the Holy TrinityBeach, AmyThe Chambered NautilusJanuary 21, 1908The Waldorf Astoria(Premiere)''Victor Harris, conductor''1931BeethovenChoral FantasyApril 25, 1976Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln CenterMay 2, 2015Carnegie HallElegischer GesangApril 8, 1978Carnegie HallFidelio (Finale)May 2, 2015Carnegie HallMass in C Major March 2, 1970Carnegie HallDecember 16, 1983Carnegie HallMarch 5, 2000Church of the Heavenly RestFebruary 22, 2009Church of the Heavenly Rest''Patrick Gardner, conductor''May 2, 2015Carnegie HallMissa solemnisMay 7, 1988Carnegie HallMay 22, 1988Carnegie Hall''Lukas Foss, conductor''April 25, 1998Carnegie HallMay 6, 2016Carnegie HallOpferlied April 8, 1978Carnegie HallSymphony No. 9 ("Choral")March 12, 1989Carnegie Hall''Lukas Foss, conductor''May 12, 2001Carnegie HallApril 28, 2006Carnegie HallBerliozMesse SolennelleMarch 2, 2003Church of the Heavenly RestRequiemMay 10, 1991Carnegie HallApril 20, 1996Carnegie HallTe DeumMarch 2, 1986St. George's ChurchMarch 30, 1986Carnegie Hall''John Nelson, conductor''BernsteinChichester PsalmsJanuary 17, 1971Riverside ChurchFebruary 10, 1989Stephen Wise SynagogueFebruary 26, 1989St. Bartholomew's ChurchMarch 12, 1989Carnegie Hall''Lukas Foss, conductor''February 24, 2008Church of the Heavenly RestBillingsDavid's LamentationMarch 18, 1968The Town HallBrahmsGesang der ParzenMay 7, 2005Carnegie HallNänieJanuary 16, 1972Riverside ChurchApril 30, 1999Carnegie HallMay 7, 2005Carnegie HallApril 25, 2014Carnegie HallRequiemApril 25, 1976Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln CenterMay 2, 1976St. George's ChurchApril 29, 1989Carnegie HallApril 30, 1999Carnegie HallMay 7, 2005Carnegie HallMay 6, 2017Carnegie HallSchicksalsliedApril 11, 1980Carnegie HallApril 30, 1999Carnegie HallApril 18, 2009Carnegie Hall Breit, JonathanDer ZippelfagottistDecember 10, 2016Carnegie HallBrucknerChristus Factus EstJanuary 17, 1971Riverside ChurchMass in E minorMay 14, 1983Carnegie HallMissa solemnisMarch 6, 1994Church of the Heavenly RestTe DeumApril 25, 2014Carnegie HallByrd, WilliamSing JoyfullyMarch 1, 2015Church of the Holy TrinityCipullo, TomCredo for a Secular CityApril 25, 2014Carnegie HallCharpentier"Midnight Mass" for Christmas EveDecember 15, 1979Carnegie HallCherubiniRequiem in C minorMarch 3, 1985St. George's ChurchFebruary 11, 1996Church of the Heavenly RestCoriglianoFern HillMarch 13, 1967The Town HallDurufléRequiemMay 17, 1981Church of the Holy TrinityFebruary 25, 1990St. Bartholomew's ChurchFebruary 24, 2008Church of the Heavenly RestDvorákRequiemMarch 1, 1987St. George's ChurchJune 12, 1990Carnegie Hall''Will Kessling, conductor''May 12, 1995Carnegie HallTe DeumMarch 7, 1993Church of the Heavenly RestElgarThe Music MakersMay 12, 2001Carnegie HallEscaich, ThierryMesse RomaneMarch 3, 2018Church of the Holy TrinityFauréCantique de Jean RacineMarch 2, 1970Carnegie HallApril 27, 1974Carnegie HallMay 20, 1984St. George's ChurchMarch 9, 1997Church of the Heavenly RestMay 22, 2011Church of the Heavenly Rest''Gerald Greland, conductor''March 3, 2018Church of the Holy TrinityMadrigalMarch 9, 1997Church of the Heavenly RestPavaneMarch 9, 1997Church of the Heavenly RestMay 22, 2011Church of the Heavenly Rest''Gerald Greland, conductor''RequiemJanuary 28, 1973Riverside ChurchMay 20, 1984St. George's ChurchJune 21, 1988Avery Fisher Hall''Peter Tiboris, conductor''March 9, 1997Church of the Heavenly RestMarch 13, 2005Church of the Heavenly RestMay 22, 2011Church of the Heavenly Rest''Gerald Greland, conductor''Finzi, GeraldFor St. CeciliaDecember 8, 2000Carnegie HallIn Terra Pax: A Christmas SceneDecember 8, 2000Carnegie Hall Fusco, RaphaelDivis Cetera: an Ode from Mount SoracteDecember 22, 2012Carnegie HallGabrieliJubilate DeoDecember 15, 1979Carnegie HallGibbons, OrlandoHosanna to the Son of DavidMarch 1, 2015Church of the Holy TrinityO Clap Your Hands TogetherMarch 1, 2015Church of the Holy TrinityGounodMesse SolennelleMay 17, 1992St. Bartholomew's ChurchMarch 7, 1999Church of the Heavenly RestFebruary 26, 2006Church of the Heavenly RestRequiemMarch 3, 2018Church of the Holy TrinityHandelAcis and GalateaFebruary 28, 1966Hunter CollegeCoronation AnthemsDecember 13, 1975Carnegie HallDettingen Te DeumDec 15, 1989 Carnegie HallDixit DominusDecember 15, 1979Carnegie HallDecember 20, 1991Carnegie HallIsrael in EgyptApril 7, 1973Carnegie HallApril 4, 1982Ft. Hamilton, BrooklynApril 17, 1982Carnegie HallDecember 7, 1999Carnegie HallJudas MaccabaeusDecember 15, 1974Carnegie HallDecember 16, 1984Stephen Wise SynagogueDecember 19, 1984Carnegie HallMessiahDec 23, 1995, 2:30Carnegie HallDec 23, 1995, 8:00Carnegie HallDec 20, 1997, 2:30Carnegie HallDec 20, 1997, 8:00Carnegie HallDecember 10, 2005Carnegie HallDecember 13, 2008Carnegie HallDecember 9, 2011Carnegie HallDecember 13, 2013Carnegie HallDecember 15, 2013Tilles CenterDecember 12, 2015Carnegie HallDecember 13, 2015Tilles CenterSolomonDecember 19, 1976Carnegie HallHaydn, JosephDie BeredsamkeitSeptember 22, 1994Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie HallMass No. 5 in C, "Cäcilianmesse"April 19, 1975Carnegie HallJanuary 22, 1982Carnegie HallDecember 20, 1991Carnegie HallMass No. 9 in B Flat "Paukenmesse"March 31, 1969Carnegie HallMass No. 10 in B Flat "Heiligmesse"April 8, 1978Carnegie HallMass No. 11 in D minor, "Nelsonmesse"February 28, 1966Hunter CollegeMarch 6, 1988St. George's ChurchMass No. 12 in B Flat, "Theresienmesse"December 6, 2003Carnegie HallMass No. 13 in B Flat, "Schöpfungsmesse"March 3, 2002Church of the Heavenly RestTe DeumDecember 16, 1983Carnegie HallMarch 3, 1985St. George's ChurchHaydn, MichaelRequiemMarch 3, 2002Church of the Heavenly RestHoneggerKing DavidDecember 11, 1987Carnegie Hall''Martin Bookspan, narrator''January 29, 1988Stephen Wise SynagogueHummelMass in B flatDecember 10, 2009Carnegie HallIsenberg, RexMessiahs False and TrueMarch 6, 2016Church of the Holy Trinity Jabri, ZaidA Garden Among the Flames (world premiere)May 6, 2017Carnegie HallKay"Allelulia, Give Ear" (from Choral Triptych)March 2, 1970Carnegie HallKodályMissa BrevisMarch 10, 1991St. Bartholomew's ChurchTe DeumJanuary 16, 1972Riverside ChurchApril 29, 1989Carnegie HallLassusEcho SongSep 22,1994Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie HallMon CoeurMarch 18, 1968the Town HallSep 22,1994Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie HallLauridsen, MortenLux AeternaApril 9, 2011Carnegie HallLeonarda, IsabellaTwo MotetsDecember 22, 2012Carnegie HallMendelssohn, FannyOratorium Nach Bildern der BibelDecember 20, 1986Carnegie HallMendelssohn, FelixDie erste WalpurgisnachtApril 11, 1980Carnegie HallApril 29, 1994Carnegie HallMay 4, 2007Carnegie HallElijahMarch 23, 1986Stephen Wise SynagogueApril 5, 1986Carnegie HallDecember 19, 1992Carnegie HallJanuary 22, 1993Stephen Wise SynagogueKyrieNovember 4, 1978Carnegie HallJanuary 21, 1979St. George's ChurchLauda SionMarch 5, 2000Church of the Heavenly RestSymphony No. 2, "Lobgesang"December 17, 1982Carnegie HallDecember 8, 2000Carnegie HallMennin, PeterThe Christmas StoryDecember 22, 2012Carnegie HallMonteverdiLasciatemi morireMarch 18, 1968The Town HallMozartAve Verum CorpusDecember 13, 1975Carnegie Hall"Coronation" Mass, K. 317December 13, 1975Carnegie HallDecember 16, 1983Carnegie HallFebruary 22, 2009Church of the Heavenly Rest''Patrick Gardner, conductor''"Great" Mass in C minor, K. 427March 27, 1971Carnegie HallApril 10, 1981Carnegie HallDecember 15, 1989Carnegie HallDecember 11, 1998Carnegie HallDecember 6, 2003Carnegie HallDecember 10, 2009Carnegie HallMisericordias Domini, K. 222April 8, 1978Carnegie HallRegina CoeliApril 10, 1981Carnegie HallRequiemMarch 13, 1967The Town HallMay 14, 1983Carnegie HallDecember 11, 1998Carnegie HallDecember 7, 2002Carnegie HallDecember 6, 2006Carnegie HallApril 9, 2011Carnegie HallMay 11, 2018Carnegie HallTe DeumJanuary 28, 1973Riverside ChurchVesperae solemnes de confessore, K. 339March 31, 1969Carnegie HallApril 8, 1978Carnegie HallMarch 6, 1994Church of the Heavenly RestFebruary 26, 2006Church of the Heavenly RestFebruary 26, 2012Church of the Heavenly RestOrffCarmina BuranaApril 29, 1994Carnegie HallApril 27, 2002Carnegie HallMay 4, 2007Carnegie HallPergolesiMagnificatApril 16, 1977Carnegie HallPinkham, DanielChristmas CantataDecember 15, 1979Carnegie HallPoulencGloriaDecember 15, 1994Carnegie HallMarch 13, 2005Church of the Heavenly RestDecember 13, 2014Carnegie HallPucciniEdgarOctober 8, 1977Brooklyn College''Eve Queler, conductor''Messa di GloriaMarch 22, 1980Bridgeport, CT''Harrison Valente, conductor''April 11, 1980Carnegie HallMay 17, 1992St. Bartholomew's ChurchFebruary 29, 2004Church of the Heavenly RestPurcellPraise the Lord, O JerusalemMarch 31, 1969Carnegie HallRachmaninoffThe BellsApril 27, 2002Carnegie HallRandolph, DavidAndante for StringsDecember 8, 2000Carnegie HallApril 9, 2011Carnegie HallRutterGloriaMay 2, 1997Carnegie HallSaint-SaënsRequiemMarch 7, 1999Church of the Heavenly RestSalieriGrand Mass No. 1 in DApril 10, 1981Carnegie HallMay 17, 1981Church of the Holy TrinitySchubertMass No. 5 in A flatDecember 20, 1986Carnegie HallMarch 4, 2001Church of the Heavenly RestMass No. 6 in E flatMarch 18, 1968The Town HallApril 16, 1977Carnegie HallMarch 8, 1998Church of the Heavenly RestFebruary 21, 2010Church of the Heavenly RestStabat MaterMarch 5, 1995Church of the Heavenly RestFebruary 25, 2007Church of the Heavenly RestFebruary 26, 2012Church of the Heavenly RestSmyth, Dame EthelMass in D (New York premiere)April 14, 2013Carnegie HallThe PrisonMay 11, 2018Carnegie HallTallisSpem in AliumNovember 4, 1978Carnegie Hall''John Alldis, conductor''Taylor,DeemsHighwayman1931Tchaikovskyscenes from The Maid of OrleansApril 14, 2013Carnegie HallTomkins, ThomasWhen David HeardMarch 1, 2015Church of the Holy TrinityTelemannWie ist dein Name so grossMarch 27, 1971Carnegie HallTye, ChristopherGive Almes of Thy GoodsMarch 1, 2015Church of the Holy TrinityVaughan WilliamsDona Nobis PacemFebruary 26, 1989St. Bartholomew's ChurchApril 28, 2006Carnegie HallHodieDecember 15, 1994Carnegie HallDecember 13, 2014Carnegie HallHodie (two movements)March 1, 2015Church of the Holy TrinityMass in G minorApril 27, 1974Carnegie HallMarch 10, 1991St. Bartholomew's ChurchSerenade to MusicNovember 4, 1978Carnegie Hall''John Alldis, conductor''January 21, 1979St. George's ChurchSymphony No. 1, A Sea SymphonyMay 16, 1985Carnegie HallMay 2, 1997Carnegie HallApril 18, 2009Carnegie HallToward the Unknown RegionApril 25, 2014Carnegie HallVerdiRequiemMarch 20, 1983Park Ave. Christian ChurchApril 9, 1983Bridgeport, CT''Romano Gandolfi, conductor''April 17, 1993Carnegie HallMay 2, 2003Carnegie HallMay 2, 2008Carnegie HallApril 21, 2012Carnegie HallStabat MaterMay 16, 1985Carnegie HallTe DeumMay 16, 1985Carnegie HallVivaldiDixit DominusJanuary 22, 1982Carnegie HallFebruary 25, 1990St. Bartholomew's ChurchGloriaApril 27, 1974Carnegie HallFebruary 29, 2004Church of the Heavenly RestDecember 22, 2012Carnegie HallMagnificatDecember 13, 1975Carnegie HallMarch 6, 1988St. George's ChurchWaltonCoronation Te DeumNovember 4, 1978Carnegie HallWeelkes, ThomasGloria in Excelsis DeoMarch 1, 2015Church of the Holy TrinityZelenkaMissa Dei PatrisMarch 7, 1993Church of the Heavenly RestZimmermann, H. W.PsalmkonzertMarch 31, 1969Carnegie HallApril 27, 1974Carnegie Hall
References
External links ** St. Cecilia Chorus records in the Music Division of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts* St. Cecilia Chorus Collection of Sound Recordings, 1967–, Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound. New York Public Library