Our History

THE NEW YORK CHORAL SOCIETY

EST. 1959

60 Years in the Making

The New York Choral Society has been a vital part of New York City’s cultural landscape. Throughout its history, NYCHORAL has been recognized for bringing together the old and the new, honoring classical works while amplifying contemporary voices.

King David, a Theatrical Choral Event | November 22, 2025

Martin D. Josman

Founding and Early Years

In 1959, Martin D. Josman gathered twelve singers with a shared passion for choral music and founded the New York Choral Society. Within a few short years, the ensemble grew rapidly, performing large-scale works at Philharmonic Hall (now David Geffen Hall) and establishing its reputation for excellence.

Innovation and Growth

The 1970s marked a transformative era under the leadership of Richard De Cormier, celebrated arranger, conductor, and champion of American folk traditions. During his tenure, the chorus expanded to more than 150 voices, toured internationally, commissioned new works, and released acclaimed recordings.

From 1981 through 1988, NYCHORAL appeared annually in Carnegie Hall’s A Holiday Celebration with Peter, Paul and Mary. The 1988 concert recording has been a popular holiday viewing tradition for decades and was a yearly staple in PBS’s nationwide broadcast schedule for much of the 1990s and 2000s.

Progam Cover: A Holiday Celebration with Peter, Paul, & Mary

A Chorus for Today

Today, under the leadership of Music Director David Hayes, NYCHORAL continues to create performances that are immersive, thought-provoking, and deeply connected to the city it calls home.

Recent commissions from composers such as Reena Esmail, Jennifer Higdon, and Adolphus Hailstork reflect the chorus’s commitment to telling diverse stories through music. With each concert, the chorus reaffirms its mission by ensuring that every generation of New Yorker can experience the power and joy of choral music first-hand.

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