Founded in 1949, the Choral Society of Durham regularly performs with professional orchestra and regionally and nationally known soloists. The group also engages in outreach to music students in area public schools. The 30-voice Chamber Choir, often featured in portions of Choral Society concerts, presents its own programs in the community.
Being the resident choir for Sunday morning services at Duke Chapel, the Chapel Choir is the largest and most visible ensemble at the Chapel, singing anthems and leading the congregation in hymns and liturgical music.
In addition to providing weekly sacred choral music, the Choir performs two concerts each year, including their critically acclaimed performances of Handel’s “Messiah” which have been presented annually since 1933. The Chapel Choir has also performed concert tours in China, Poland, the Czech Republic, England and the U.S., performing in such venues as Carnegie Hall, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Washington National Cathedral, and St. Martin in the Fields.
The Chapel Choir is open to students, faculty, staff, and community members by audition. Auditions are held at the beginning of the academic year, as well as by appointment.
The Duke Chapel Vespers Ensemble was formed in 1986. The Vespers Ensemble leads evening liturgies throughout the academic year (Advent Lessons & Carols, All Hallows Eve, Michaelmas, Candlemas, Ash Wednesday, etc) and performs concerts at the Chapel, focusing on music of the Renaissance and early Baroque eras. The Vespers Ensemble is directed by Dr. Philip Cave.
Membership in the ensemble is by audition. For information about auditions and membership requirements, please contact the Chapel Music office.
The Duke Chapel Evensong Singers was formed in 2015 and offers the service of Choral Evensong many Sunday afternoons at 4pm throughout the academic year. The service of Evensong, steeped in Anglican tradition, typically lasts about 45 minutes and is mostly sung by the choir, with music drawn primarily from the great repertoire of music written for English cathedrals and collegiate chapels.
The Durham Children’s Choir is a diverse chorus, representing all the many ethnic and racial groups in the Durham area. Founded in 2004, it is open by audition to all children. Beginning with the 2011-2012 season, the Durham Children’s Cantare Choir serves as a training choir for younger singers (3rd-6th graders), to prepare them for the DCC, which is open to 4th-9th graders.
