Welcome

The Greater New Haven Community Chorus is people who share a common interest — a love of music. We are your neighbors, your children's teachers, your area business men and women, your friends. Under the direction of Christopher Clowdus, our goal is to achieve the highest performance standards possible by a non-auditioning community musical organization.

The chorus was founded in 1963 by radio station WELI as a venture in community singing. The WELI Community Chorus, as we were originally known, performed in many surroundings. The chorus became self-supporting in 1971 as the New Haven Community Chorus, and in 1975 became incorporated with the State of Connecticut as a nonprofit organization. Today we are also fortunate to be affiliated with the historic Center Church on the Green.

The chorus is an active organization which performs with pride and distinction. We have had the honor of appearing for many special events. In 1976 the chorus was selected to represent the State of Connecticut in Philadelphia a part of the National Bicentennial Celebration. We have performed on the New Haven Green as a participant in the Summer Festivals, for the 75th Anniversary of the Hospital of St. Raphael, and in the 350th Anniversary Concert of New Haven and the Center Church, in the Amistad Celebration.

Members of the Chorus have also performed as part of the 1,000 Voice Chorus at the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics World Games. Most recently, the chorus appeared in the 43rd Annual Cantor's Concert at the Beth El Synagogue in Waterbury, CT.

We have performed with instrumental ensembles as varied as the Jeff Fuller Trio, and the Connecticut Chamber Orchestra, the Southern Connecticut Symphonic Pops Orchestra, Sonny Costanza's Big Band and the Galvanized Jazz Band. Our programs have featured some of Connecticut's leading vocalists, including Julia Blue Raspe, Martha Oneppo, Richard Lalli, and Joseph Stango, in addition to our own soloists.

The chorus currently presents two of its own concerts each year with a repertory of every variety — from the enduring classics to the best in American Pops — from inspiring sacred music to our rich heritage of native folk songs, and everything in between — blues, Broadway, opera, operetta and patriotic music.

The chorus enjoys lively and instructive rehearsals on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 10:00 PM in the Center Church Parish House at 311 Temple Street, near the New Haven Green. Interested choristers are always welcome to attend up to three rehearsals as guests without obligation. Call 203-624-1979 for information if you have been looking for a new cultural and social experience… or if you just love music.