Did you know…

• that Canterbury Choral Society is one of the largest volunteer choral groups in America?
• that our adult and children’s choruses present concerts in central Oklahoma and the state?
•  that we tour outside the state as
    Oklahoma's ambassadors?
• that we collaborate with all kinds of organizations to better serve the people of Oklahoma?
• that we are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people by providing high quality, diversified programming as our contribution to the cultural life of our citizens?
• that our mission is to help develop and enhance life and learning skills for children through music?

The 125-member Adult Chorus is the flagship program of the organization and the largest of its kind in the state of Oklahoma. Canterbury Choral Society was founded in May 1969 at All Souls Episcopal Church with 60 singers and now performs in Oklahoma City’s premier performance venue, Civic Center Music Hall. All singers are auditioned volunteers, most with extensive musical and stage experience, and coming from all over the state of Oklahoma.

The Adult Chorus routinely collaborates with sister arts agencies like the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and Ballet Oklahoma. The Adult Chorus has made many public appearances aside from its normal concerts. It was featured prominently during the National Prayer Service, “A Time of Healing”, memorializing the victims of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. In the summer of 2002, it embarked on its first international tour performing in three of England’s most famous cathedrals. In November 2002, it appeared at the dedication of the new dome for the State Capitol building.  More recently in celebration of Oklahoma’s Centennial, Canterbury was invited to perform on the opening and closing Centennial Spectacular concerts held at the Civic Center and Ford Center with notable stars that come from Oklahoma.  Also in honor of the Centennial, a new work for chorus and orchestra was commissioned from internationally renowned composer Stephen Paulus.  

Dedicated to a wide array of choral music from the great masterworks to jazz and Broadway music, collaborations have included performing with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, an “Opera Olé” concert with Hispanic dancers and guitarists from the metro area and Santa Fe, a “World Harmonies” concert with World Neighbors and their bazaar in the lobby, and 10% of all ticket sales from a season concert going to the American Red Cross after Hurricane Katrina.  Canterbury’s Opening Concert in 2008 celebrating its 40th year in Oklahoma City featured Oklahoma’s Tony-nominated Kelli O’Hara, who is starring at Lincoln Center in the revival of South Pacific.  An additional concert will feature a world premiere as part of a collaboration with the American Choral Directors Association in celebration of their 50th Anniversary.

Canterbury Youth Choruses (CYC), the youth choral program of the Canterbury Choral Society, enters its twelfth year with the 2009-2010 season.  Through its diverse choral curriculum, which explores the world through classical and world music of all cultures, CYC enhances the singing skills and musical literacy of children who love to sing with vocal music training and performance opportunities, while striving to deepen each child’s understanding of life and culture through ensemble singing.