Our History

The Dedham Choral Society was organized in 1955 by an interested group of Dedham townspeople. From 1967 to 1993, during the tenure of Brian Jones, it grew from 25 to 130 members. Repertoire expanded to include the Requiems of Mozart, Brahms, Verdi, Fauré, and Duruflé, as well as Elgar's Dream of Gerontius and the Horatio Parker Hora Novissima. DCS has performed concerts in Symphony Hall, Boston, including the Verdi Requiem (1990), a concert of operatic excerpts (1991), and a collaborative concert with the 350-voice Community Chorus of Hokkaido, Japan (1993).

In 1994 the Chorus observed the retirement of our long-time Music Director Brian Jones and warmly welcomed Jonathan Barnhart as our new leader.

In the Spring of 1994, DCS joined together with the Longwood Symphony Orchestra to celebrate Longwood's Tenth Anniversary with a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in Jordan Hall. In the Spring of 1996, DCS joined the Concord Chorus to celebrate their 50th anniversary in a Symphony Hall performance of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis. In celebration of Leonard Bernstein's 80th birthday in may 1998, DCS performed the Chichester Psalms and other works of Jewish composers at the Bernstein family synagogue, Temple Mishkan Tefila. The composer's brother, Burton Bernstein, joined DCS in honoring his life and music.

Most recently, the Chorus celebrated its 50th anniversary in May 2005 with a gala performance of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana at Boston's Jordan Hall.

Each year the group performs in its "home" in St. Mary's Church in Dedham, as well as in one of several Boston locations, historically including the Church of the Immaculate Conception, The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Old South Church, and Trinity Church.

In addition to its large chorus, the DCS 50-voice Pops Chorus provides benefit programs for non-profit organizations.

DCS is a founding member of the Greater Boston Choral Consortium.