UMS Choral Union

Throughout its 133-year history, the University Musical Society Choral Union has performed with many of the world's distinguished orchestras and conductors. Based in Ann Arbor under the aegis of the University Musical Society (UMS), the 175-voice Choral Union is known for its definitive performances of large-scale works for chorus and orchestra.

Formed by a group of local university and townspeople who gathered together for the study of Handel's Messiah, the UMS Choral Union has performed with many of the world's distinguished orchestras and conductors in its 133-year history. First led by Professor Henry Simmons Frieze and conducted by Professor Calvin Cady, the group assumed the name The Choral Union. Since its first performance of Handel's Messiah in December 1879, the oratorio has been performed by the UMS Choral Union in Ann Arbor annually. Based in Ann Arbor under the aegis of UMS, the 175-voice Choral Union is known for its definitive performances of large-scale works for chorus and orchestra. Sixteen years ago, the UMS Choral Union further enriched that tradition when it began appearing regularly with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO).

Led by Grammy Award-winning conductor and music director Jerry Blackstone, the UMS Choral Union was a participant chorus in a rare performance and recording of William Bolcom's Songs of Innocence and of Experience in Hill Auditorium in April 2004 under the baton of Leonard Slatkin. Naxos released a three-disc set of this recording in October 2004, featuring the UMS Choral Union and U-M School of Music ensembles. The recording won four Grammy Awards in 2006, including "Best Choral Performance" and "Best Classical Album." The recording was also selected as one of The New York Times "Best Classical Music CDs of 2004."

Recent highlights of the UMS Choral Union's schedule include a 2008 performance of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana with the DSO for the inaugural weekend of Leonard Slatkin's post as music director of the DSO. Most recently, in 2010, the chorus joined the San Francisco Symphony and Michael Tilson Thomas for a performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 2 ("Resurrection") at Hill Auditorium.

The UMS Choral Union's 11/12 season begins with its annual performances of Handel's Messiah at Hill Auditorium with the Ann Arbor Symphony and at Orchestra Hall with the DSO in December. The chorus will join forces with the DSO and Leonard Slatkin in February for performances of Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem and Adams' On the Transmigration of Souls and again in April for performances of Beethoven's Choral Fantasy and Bolcom's Prometheus.

Participation in the UMS Choral Union remains open to all students and adults by audition

For more information about the UMS Choral Union, e-mail choralunion@umich.edu or call 734-763-8997.