The Baltimore Symphony Chorus was founded in 1969 in response to a call by former BSO Music Director, Maestro Sergiu Comissiona, for the development of a chorus to perform regularly with the Orchestra. After an extensive search for a successor to Mr. Polochick, the BSO recently announced the appointment of Frank Nemhauser to the post of Chorus Director. The ensemble expanded from 30 voices in its first year to 150 singers. Most members are amateurs, from all walks of life, who have dedicated themselves to the highest professional standards of performance.
Some singers study voice with area teachers or at local colleges and universitites.
This program was broadcast internationally in June 1986 and has been rebroadcast many times since. On occasion the chorus is joined by other area choruses for special performances, such as Mahler's Symphony No. 8 or Britten's War Requiem. The chorus repertoire is extensive and broad, including more than 250 works from all genres, Broadway to Bach. The annual performances of Handel's Messiah with Edward Polochick have been perennial favorites and often sell out. The ensemble has performed with many notable guest conductors, including Robert Shaw, Margaret Hillis, G nther Herbig, Sir Neville Marriner, Trevor Pinnock, Jeffrey Tate, Bobby McFerrin, Alan Gilbert, Erich Kunzel, Marvin Hamlisch, and Leonard Slatkin.