The Worcester Chorus

Under the baton of Artistic Director Chris Shepard and Assistant Director & Accompanist Mark Mummert, the Worcester Chorus of Music Worcester has been an important part of Central Massachusetts’ musical tradition since its founding in 1858. Today, the Chorus numbers approximately 100 professional and amateur singers from Worcester County and southern New England.

The ensemble performs several times each year, primarily as part of Music Worcester’s season, though they also make appearances with other arts organizations. Notably, their schedule includes an annual performance of Handel’s Messiah during the holiday season. Their repertoire also includes other classical choral pieces, opera, musical theater, American folk songs, and more. A subset of the group, the Worcester Chorus Women’s Ensemble (dir. Mark Mummert) is also featured in the Music Worcester season.

The Worcester Chorus is a key component of THE COMPLETE BACH, Music Worcester’s 11-year project to present all of J.S. Bach’s known works, which concludes in March 2035.

The Worcester Chorus has appeared with the Hartford Symphony, the American Symphony at Avery Fisher Hall in the Lincoln Center, and the Prague Symphony at Carnegie Hall. The Chorus performed at the 1992 American Choral Directors Association Eastern Division Convention in Boston, and has appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra, The Rochester Philharmonic, and the symphonies of Boston, Baltimore, and Detroit. The Worcester Chorus has also made guest appearances throughout the Northeast and overseas.

The Chorus also administers The Worcester Chorus Award for Musical Excellence (formerly the Dr. Gerald R. Mack Music Award). Applications open in the spring. Read more.