Over the past quarter century, The Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut (MCC) has performed some of the world's greatest choral masterpieces in artistically unique and innovative performances that have earned it a reputation as one of the pre-eminent choral ensembles in New England. The Choir's versatile programming mines an extensive repertoire that embraces musical works of all periods and genres from classical to contemporary, opera to pop. To this end, the Choir excels in fulfilling its mission to develop and promote an appreciation of choral music and to educate its members and the general public in the musical arts.

The Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut was originally founded in 1984 by alumni of the Fairfield University Chamber Singers who wished to continue a musical association with Dr. Carole Ann Maxwell. Under her baton for over twenty-five years, MCC has performed outstanding repertoire including Carl Orff's Carmina Burana and Catulli Carmina, Handel's Messiah, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Prokofiev's Alexander Nevsky, Honegger's King David, Bach's Magnificat, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Vaughan Williams' A Sea Symphony and Toward the Unknown Region, Haydn's Nelson Mass, and the Requiems of Mozart, Verdi, Faure and Durufle, as well as American songbook entries from Gershwin and Sondheim, and many others.

Over the years, MCC has been honored to present the world premieres of "Prologue" from North and South, by Tony Award winner Charles Strouse, the Academy Award winning song "There Can Be Miracles" by Stephen Schwartz, and "Chief Seattle" by esteemed American composer Gregg Smith. In celebration of its Silver Anniversary the Choir has commissioned a work by Randol Alan Bass, "O Divine Music", which it premiered in May 2010. MCC also debuted Connecticut composer EdWard Thompson's What the Ivy Said to the Falling Snow in February 2010.

Recognizing the talent and achievements of the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut, acclaimed ensembles such as the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Orchestra, the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, and the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra, continue to seek out the Choir for concert collaborations. MCC has also been privileged to perform with both Distinguished Concerts International of New York and Mid-America Productions at Carnegie Hall. In addition to a memorable performance at the 2006 The National Pastoral Musicians' Conference, the Choir has also performed to enthusiastic audiences in Rome, Florence, Prague, Vienna, Budapest and Ireland. MCC returned to Carnegie Hall in January, 2011, for a performance of Karl Jenkins’ Stabat Mater. In this 28th Anniversary Season, MCC began an association with The New Haven Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro William Boughton, with performances of Edward Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius.

While MCC focuses first on its artistry, it is also keenly aware of its responsibility to increase public awareness of, and involvement in, the arts in our area. The Choir's Outreach Program, the Mendelssingers, sends Choir members to hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and various community events to bring the wonder and awe of live choral music to those special venues. The Choir is most appreciative of the generous contributions it receives from a variety of regional corporations and businesses as well as the Connecticut Office of the Arts.

Auditions

Guidelines

Hear Us Sing

Request an Audition

• Auditions for membership are usually held once each season, at the beginning of the season. However, interested singers will also be heard throughout the year. General auditions for the 2015/2016 season are scheduled to be held on Tuesday, September 1 from 7:30 to 9:00 pm at St. Luke's Church in Westport and on Thursday, September 3 from 7:30 to 9:00 pm at the Chapel on the Fairfield University Campus in Fairfield. Open rehearsals on September 8, 15 & 22 will provide additional opportunities to audition.
  
  Those who audition will be asked to sing a simple hymn or patriotic song, in addition to vocal exercises to determine range.

• The Mendelssohn Choir operates at a professional standard of excellence. Individuals are expected to maintain this standard by thorough knowledge of the music.
  
  Your audition and acceptance into The Mendelssohn Choir should reflect a sincere desire on your part to participate in the creation of choral music. It implies a commitment on your part to sing the compliment of concerts in the schedule of a particular season.
  
  Rehearsals are held every Tuesday evening from 7:30 to 10:00 P.M., and additional rehearsals are held during the week of the concert, as well as sectionals scheduled throughout the season. A calendar with our rehearsal and concerts dates is issued to all at the beginning of each season so that singers may arrange their schedules.
  
  MCC's EVENTS
  
  Free Calendar by Brolmo.com
  
  Information distributed at the general auditions is available here.
  

• If you wish to hear clips of our concerts, click here.
• If you wish to request an audition outside of the open audition period as previously designated, click here.