In 2010, Choral Arts Philadelphia changed its name from Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia to signal a new vision and development in its long and distinguished history.
The chorus, under artistic director Matthew Glandorf, is Philadelphia’s premier chamber chorus dedicated to theatrically and thematically conceived concert programs that envelop the listener in the sounds and sights of times past and present. Dedicated to researching and reproducing the original instrumental and vocal practices that have marked the history of music, Choral Arts Philadelphia creates more than just concerts, it transports listeners into immersive musical experiences of bygone days.
Choral Arts Philadelphia was founded in 1982. Its first artistic director, Sean Deibler, led the organization for over 15 years and helped establish it as one of the premier choruses in Philadelphia. During his tenure, the chorus regularly appeared in concert and in recording with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Since then, Choral Arts Philadelphia has built a significant reputation and artistic presence in Philadelphia. It has maintained a particularly strong commitment to exploring areas of the choral repertoire outside of the central canon. Deibler’s successor, Donald Nally, added greatly to the chorus’s local and national successes that culminated in receiving the Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence from Chorus America and Philadelphia Magazine’s Best of Philly award during its 20th anniversary season. Currently under the artistic direction of Matthew Glandorf, Choral Arts Philadelphia has performed nearly 300 works by more than 100 composers over its distinguished history.