Official Vocal Ensemble of the Dallas Symphony Association

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History of the Dallas Symphony Chorus

Maestro Eduardo Mata
The Dallas Symphony Chorus is the official vocal ensemble of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. This all-volunteer organization consists of members who devote their time, effort and considerable talent to regularly scheduled rehearsals and performances with the Dallas Symphony, as well as appearances in the greater Dallas metroplex, across the United States and with orchestras in venues around the world.

The 200-member chorus traces its origin to an early 1977 meeting between Dallas Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor Eduardo Mata, Managing Director Lloyd Halderman and University of Texas at Dallas Chancellor Bryce Jordan. Mata asked that a large-scale permanent vocal ensemble be created to make possible regular performances of major choral works with the orchestra.

The DSC's first performance as the official chorus of the Dallas Symphony took place under Mata's direction at theMusic Hall at Fair Park on September 23, 1977 with a performance of the Mozart Mass in C minor.

Since then, the chorus has grown through the tenures of chorusmasters William Graham, Stewart Clark, Frank Sargent and Ronald Shirey. In December 1994, David R. Davidson was named the chorus' fifth director until his passing in 2009. Terry Price was named Director ad interim for the 2009-2010 season and an international search concluded in December 2010 with the announcement of Joshua Habermann as the sixth permanent director. Mr. Habermann assumed his new duties as Chorus Director in August 2011.

All of the musicians in the chorus are volunteers who attend weekly Monday evening rehearsals. The rehearsal and concert schedule spans the orchestra's Classical season and includes the occasional pops and summer concert. Auditions are generally held for those interested in joining the chorus during the months of May and June each year. Since 1988, the DSC's Christmastime performance schedule with the Orchestra has expanded due to its popularity with holiday audiences from two performances to as many as twelve.

The Dallas Symphony Chorus has made over a dozen commercial recordings on the RCA, ProArte, Dorian, Delos and Hyperion labels.

To financially supplement tours and other activities outside of the Dallas Symphony subscription series, the chorus performs for public and private functions throughout the Metroplex.