Organized choral music in Albany, Georgia began in 1929 with the Albany Choral Club. The first concert was a joint venture between the club in Albany and members of the Music Department at Andrew College in Cuthbert. Nearly 2000 music lovers heard the first concert of the Albany Choral Club. The club hoped to organize other clubs in surrounding towns with the idea of joining forces for a spring festival. The clubs would work on the same program and would set aside several days each spring for a festival to be held in Albany.
The Depression brought an end to the Festival, and there was a long silence for choral music in Albany. In 1946 a Men’s Chorus was organized, and in 1952 a Women’s Chorus was organized. The two groups joined in 1961 to form the first Albany Community Chorus.
Shortly after the opening of the Albany Junior College (now a Division of Albany State University) in 1966, an invitation was issued to all area church choirs to come together for a presentation of Handel’s “Messiah” to be performed in December, 1966. Chorus members asked Larry Dorminey (AJC Faculty) to be their director. The chorus has remained in continuous existence since then. In its early years, the chorus was a group of singers from the community directed by volunteers, singing music familiar to its audience. In 1991, the chorus voted to change its name to the Albany Chorale, and with that name change came a more mature outlook on the cultural needs of the community.
Since 1991, the Chorale has established a uniform performance attire, hired a permanent artistic director, gained non-profit status, and appointed a community-based advisory council.
In 1994, the Chorale made a singing tour of Eastern Europe. Back home, in Southwest Georgia, the Chorale has sung in Baconton, Cuthbert, Colquitt, Dawson, Donalsonville, Leesburg, and Parrott, as well as many venues in Albany.
Our History
Organized choral music in Albany, Georgia began in 1929 with the Albany Choral Club. The first concert was a joint venture between the club in Albany and members of the Music Department at Andrew College in Cuthbert. Nearly 2000 music lovers heard the first concert of the Albany Choral Club. The club hoped to organize other clubs in surrounding towns with the idea of joining forces for a spring festival. The clubs would work on the same program and would set aside several days each spring for a festival to be held in Albany.
The Depression brought an end to the Festival, and there was a long silence for choral music in Albany. In 1946 a Men’s Chorus was organized, and in 1952 a Women’s Chorus was organized. The two groups joined in 1961 to form the first Albany Community Chorus.
Shortly after the opening of the Albany Junior College (now a Division of Albany State University) in 1966, an invitation was issued to all area church choirs to come together for a presentation of Handel’s “Messiah” to be performed in December, 1966. Chorus members asked Larry Dorminey (AJC Faculty) to be their director. The chorus has remained in continuous existence since then. In its early years, the chorus was a group of singers from the community directed by volunteers, singing music familiar to its audience. In 1991, the chorus voted to change its name to the Albany Chorale, and with that name change came a more mature outlook on the cultural needs of the community.
Since 1991, the Chorale has established a uniform performance attire, hired a permanent artistic director, gained non-profit status, and appointed a community-based advisory council.
In 1994, the Chorale made a singing tour of Eastern Europe. Back home, in Southwest Georgia, the Chorale has sung in Baconton, Cuthbert, Colquitt, Dawson, Donalsonville, Leesburg, and Parrott as well as many venues in Albany.
The Albany Chorale offers a welcoming environment to all those who embrace our mission to perform the highest quality choral music. Members of the Chorale pay $50 annual dues to help support the all-volunteer non-profit. Our vast and eclectic music library affords all members an opportunity to sing their soul in many genr+ es. As the country and our area began opening up following the COVID-19 lock down, our Board of Directors fearlessly led the 30+ member Chorale in a full concert season. We performed in large arenas and learned to "listen" to each other from a distance. Our membership growth and donations outperformed our presentations! The world needs choral music! This year, the Chorale will perform the Poulenc Gloria with the Albany Symphony Orchestra and offer English Madrigals and Americana at the Albany Museum of Art this season. Check out our season promo: https://youtu.be/pg1hVePPPI8
The mission of the Albany Chorale is to establish, conduct and maintain a choral music society to entertain and to educate the public. Its further mission is to offer new or less familiar works, as well as old favorites, and to make this music available and affordable to all members of the community.
The Albany Chorale is a community chorus with singers of different ages and backgrounds, a mixture of trained and amateur voices. The Chorale welcomes anyone, high school age and older, who loves to sing choral music. It has become a versatile ensemble with the ability to perform all types of music. New singers are welcome to join anytime. Our season runs from August through May.