MISSION
The mission of The Harford Choral Society is to establish a trained chorus of singers to share the pleasures of classical music with the Harford community, to present choral concerts, and to support music education in schools and in individual achievement through awards and scholarships. In partnership with Harford Community College, The Harford Choral Society is training voices of the future in choral music.
HISTORY
The Harford Choral Society, Inc. is a non-profit, community chorus located in Harford County, Maryland. Its membership consists of approximately 40 voices drawn from Harford, Cecil and Baltimore counties.
1954
Founded in 1954 by Joseph Victor Laderoute, an operatic tenor and music instructor at Peabody Conservatory and the first Director, the Society's first holiday performance was Handel's MESSIAH.
1955
It was performed December 1955 at the Lyric Opera House along with the BSO, and was telecast by WMAR and broadcast by WBAL radio. Founded with the goal of providing quality choral music, the Society now presents two major concerts each season.
2009
HCS was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall, October 18, 2009, along with the Cor Cymraeg Rehobeth, the Deer Creek Chorale, the Choir of the Cathedral of St Patrick, the Paderewski Festival Choir (NY), and the Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra in a performance of STABAT MATER by Stanislaw Moryto.
REPERTOIRE
The Society's repertoire ranges from classical choral works by Bach, Brahms, Handel, Haydn, Mozart and others to more contemporary composers such as Vaughan Williams, Rutter, Britten, Copland, and Bernstein, as well as works composed by local artists. When the program warrants, the group performs with an orchestra and professional soloists. HCS has worked with the Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra, Peabody Conservatory Instrumentalists and members of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra. The chorus also performs special programs for local groups, hospitals and assisted living facilities.
GRANTS
The Harford Choral Society is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive, and by the Harford County Government through the Harford County Cultural Arts Board.