Our History

The Greater New Haven Chorus was founded in 1963 by radio station WELI as a venture in community singing. The WELI Community Chorus, as we were originally known, performed in many venues. The chorus became self-supporting in 1971 as the New Haven Community Chorus, and in 1975 became incorporated with the State of Connecticut as a nonprofit organization.

The chorus is an active organization which performs with pride and distinction. We have had the honor of appearing for many special events. In 1976 the chorus was selected to represent the State of Connecticut at the National Bicentennial Celebration in Philadelphia. We have performed on the New Haven Green as a participant in the Summer Festivals, for the 75th Anniversary of the Hospital of St. Raphael, and in the 350th Anniversary Concert of New Haven and the Center Church, in the Amistad Celebration.

Members of the Chorus have also performed as part of the 1,000 Voice Chorus at the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics World Games in 1995. The chorus also appeared in the 43rd Annual Cantor’s Concert at the Beth El Synagogue in Waterbury, CT in 1998.

GNHCC has performed with instrumental ensembles as varied as the Jeff Fuller Trio, the Connecticut Chamber Orchestra, the Southern Connecticut Symphonic Pops Orchestra, Sonny Costanza’s Big Band and the Galvanized Jazz Band. Our programs have featured some of Connecticut’s leading vocalists, including Julia Blue Raspe, Martha Oneppo, Richard Lalli, and Joseph Stango, in addition to our own soloists. In 2006, some members participated in a  trip to the Mozart Festival held in Prague, Czech Republic, and Vienna, Austria. This trip was coordinated with the Santa Clara Chorale (Santa Clara, CA).  More recently, GNHCC members sang with Connecticut’s Vallis Musicae of Farmington, CT and traveled to Brazil, Spain, and Argentina for a series of classical and semi-classical concerts in 2010.   In 2011, members of GNHCC traveled to Berlin, Prague and Vienna to sing in series of concerts along with members of the San Jose Symphonic Choir.

Previous Artistic Directors

  • Christopher Clowdus
  • Rolando Sanz
  • Stephen Black
  • Steven Thomas
  • Ron Konetchy

Former Choral Conducting Assistant Scholarship Recipients

2013-2014
Austin Czarnecki (Yale University)

2012-2013
Matthew Cramer (The Hartt School, University of Hartford)

2011-2012
John “JJ” Masko (Yale University)

Spring 2009 and 2010-2011
Spencer Cromwell (Yale University)

Our Future

The Next 50 Years

Greater New Haven Community Chorus (GNHCC) will be the region’s premier comprehensive choral arts program.  The organization will provide unique, diverse, and deeply rewarding experience in choral rehearsal, performance, and choral arts education to singers of all levels of ability.  With a focus on community music making and arts accessibility, GNHCC will foster and promote meaningful collaborations in the Greater New Haven community.