New York Choral Society Announces 2024-25 Season Under New Leadership

The New York Choral Society has announced its 2024/2025 season, aptly titled She Sings: A Season of Extraordinary Women.

This season not only highlights significant works by and about women, but also celebrates a historic milestone for the organization: the appointment of Ellen PutneyMoore as the first female executive director in its 65-year history. The upcoming season offers a mix of innovative collaborations and diverse repertoire, with powerful performances that explore themes of resilience, unity, and tradition.

On November 1, 2024, the New York Choral Society will present Voices of Light, a work for orchestra, soloists, and chorus by New York artist Richard Einhorn. This compelling piece will be set to the legendary silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc, which chronicles the trial and agony of Joan of Arc in the hours leading up to her execution. Starring the renowned actress of the Comédie Française Renée Falconetti, this recently restored 1928 film, originally censored by the Catholic Church, offers a unique opportunity for film and music lovers alike to experience the film on the big screen at Alice Tully Hall in collaboration with the Mannes Orchestra.

On December 14, 2024, the choir will collaborate with the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra to bring the spirit of Christmas to St. Ann and Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn. A Very Merry Brooklyn, an annual performance of traditional holiday carols that has sold out in previous years, offers a holiday evening of joyful music and community celebration. The choir will also collaborate with the orchestra on April 5, 2025, to present William Walton’s A Shakespeare Scenario, based on the 1949 film Henry V. This dynamic composition for narrator, chorus, and orchestra combines the film’s score with the play’s dramatic monologues.

To conclude PutneyMoore’s first season as chairman, the choir will present an extraordinary program of JS Bach’s Magnificat paired with This Love Between Us: Prayers for Unity, a work by Indian-American composer and LA Master Chorale Swan Family artist-in-residence Reena Esmail. This concert, which will take place at the NYU Skirball Center on May 10, 2025, explores the theme of unity by combining Indian and Western musical styles. Inspired by Bach’s Magnificat, Esmail composed This Love Between Us against the backdrop of the divisive 2016 presidential election. The performance will feature local South Asian musicians, adding a rich cultural dimension to the evening.

Reflecting on this diverse and impactful season, Executive Director Ellen PutneyMoore notes, “This season is a testament to the power of women’s voices in the arts and society. It is an honor to lead the New York Choral Society at such a pivotal moment, and I look forward to the inspiring performances we have planned.”

“She Sings: A Season of Extraordinary Women is not only a celebration of our new leadership, but also a commitment to presenting works that resonate with contemporary audiences,” adds Musical Director David Hayes. “Each performance this season offers a fresh perspective and artistic innovation that reflects our commitment to celebrating women and embracing diverse voices.”