Formally established in 1934, the Newburyport Choral Society is one of the oldest choral societies in the United States and one of the largest such “all-amateur” organizations in New England.
The NCS attracts an average of 200 voluntary members each year from nearly 40 communities in eastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire. Members range in age from 17 to over 90, and bring greatly diverse personal and musical backgrounds to their NCS experience. In sharing their dedication to great music and high-quality performance, NCS members continue a tradition that has been the organization’s hallmark since its founding.
In two concert seasons each year, the NCS presents both seasonal and great choral masterpieces, accompanied by well-known soloists and full, professional orchestra. The choral society focuses on the classical music of Vivaldi, Bach, Handel, Mozart, Brahms, Bruckner and others, as well as contemporary composers such as Benjamin Britten, Leonard Bernstein, and Jonathan Willcocks. The Christmas concert generally includes a serious work as well as traditional carols; the spring program presents less seasonally-oriented works, and these are among our finest performances.
A non-profit, educational organization, the NCS is committed to a mission of good singing and fine music for the advancement and betterment of the larger community and, toward that end, is funded in part by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, as well as the Amesbury, Merrimac, Newburyport and West Newbury Local Cultural Councils.
