Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus

Biography

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus (ASOC) was founded in 1970 by former ASO Music Director Robert Shaw. An auditioned ensemble composed entirely of volunteers, the Chorus meets weekly for rehearsals and performs regularly with the ASO. Led by ASO Director of Choruses Norman Mackenzie, the ASO Chorus is known for its precision and expressive singing quality. Current Music Director Nathalie Stutzmann, a world-renowned contralto, is sure to expand on the Chorus’s already incredible repertoire and reputation.

In addition to its regular performances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Chorus is featured on many of the ASO’s recordings, which have won multiple Grammy® Awards, including nine for Best Choral Performance, four for Best Classical Recording and one for Best Opera Recording. Those include Vaughan Williams' A Sea Symphony and Berlioz's Requiem.

The Chorus made its debut at New York's Carnegie Hall in 1976 in a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with the ASO, led by Robert Shaw. The Chorus also performed in Washington, D.C., for President-elect Jimmy Carter's Inaugural Concert in 1977 and traveled to Germany three times with ASO Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles to be a special guest of the Berlin Philharmonic: in December 2003 for performances of Britten's War Requiem, in May 2008 for Berlioz's Requiem and in December 2009 for Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem.

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