History

Since 1974, the Cincinnati Choral Society has offered quality musical experiences not only to audiences in and beyond Cincinnati, but also to talented singers seeking a satisfying choral ensemble experience. The CCS repertoire encompasses a wide range of musical styles, both accompanied and a cappella, from traditional masterworks to modern classics. The 40-voice choir has performed with a number of orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the Cincinnati Pops, the Kentucky Symphony and the Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony. In addition to presenting concerts at its current home base at Indian Hill Church in The Village of Indian Hill, the CCS has appeared at a variety of venues in the greater Cincinnati area, as well as at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and All Hallows by the Tower in London. The group has performed with the New England Symphonic Ensemble under the baton of John Rutter, and has presented regional premieres of choral works by some noted contemporary composers, including Rene Clausen, Howard Helvey and Alice Parker.

Historical Highlights:

2015  CCS Welcomes Phil Clary – New Artistic Director

Clary,PhilCCS welcomed Phil Clary as our new Artistic Director. Phil, a native Cincinnatian, is a music teacher at Indian Hill High School and the music director at Indian Hill Church in Indian Hill. He is the choir director at Congregation Beth Adam and is an accompanist at Ursuline Academy. Phil is a member of the Cincinnati Fusion Ensemble, comprised of nationally and internationally renowned singers based in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. He also sang with the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati for several seasons. Phil earned a Bachelor of Music Education in vocal music from Northern Kentucky University and studied choral conducting at University of Cincinnati (CCM) with Dr. Stephen Coker.

2014 Dr.  Doug Belland, CCS Artistic Director retired Dec. 2014 after 20 years of dedicated service . His leadership and commitment to CCS have been much appreciated. We wish Doug all the best for the future.

2013 Cincinnati premiere of Sonnet 29 by Howard Helvey, with Mr. Helvey conducting.

2012 Featured performance with the Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra at the Kindel Memorial Holiday Concert. Members of the Cincinnati Choral Society participated in the closing ceremonies of the World Choir Games, held in Cincinnati.

2009 Performance of Requiem by Maurice Duruflé with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, James Cassidy, conductor. Performance for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute by the Cincinnati Choral Society Ensemble, Michael Harward, director.

2008 Cincinnati premiere of Memorial by René Clausen with the Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, Michael Chertock, conductor.

2007 Performance of Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection” by Gustav Mahler with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, James Cassidy, conductor.

2006 Performance of A German Requiem by Johannes Brahms with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, James Cassidy, conductor.

2005 World premiere of The Valley of the Dry Bones by J. Leon Lichtin at Northern Hills Synagogue.

2004 Regional premiere of Prairie Songs (revised version) by Mike Reid.

2003 European tour, with performances at All Hallows by the Tower in London and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

2002 Regional premiere of Holocaust Cantata by Donald McCulloch. Appearances at the Art Institute Concert Series.

2001 World premiere of A Lenten Soliloquy for Chorus and Chamber Orchestra by Douglas K. Belland.

2000 Performance of Song of Democracy by Howard Hanson with the Blue Ash Symphony Orchestra. Appearances at the Art Institute Concert Series.

1999 Solo debut (by invitation) at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

1996 Memorial concert for cable broadcast, dedicated to the victims and and survivors of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April 1995.

1995 Participation in the opening celebration of the Aronoff Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Cincinnati.

Also notable:

Participation in the first “Sing Cincinnati!” concert.

Performances with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Erich Kunzel, conductor.

Performances with the New England Symphonic Ensemble, John Rutter, conductor.

Concerts featuring the music of guest conductors Alice Parker and Howard Helvey.