In addition to the May Festival concerts, the Chorus is well known for its Carolfest concerts in December and other performances in the tri-state area. The Chorus also hosts an annual workshop open to members of the community.  Throughout the year, the May Festival Chorus performs and frequently records with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.

In addition to concerts in Cincinnati, the Chorus has performed in Europe, at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center, and in Carnegie Hall with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.  The Chorus has appeared on several national PBS broadcasts and in 2001 released the celebrated compact disc, Christmas with the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus. Their 2004 Telarc release, the world premiere recording of Franz Liszt’s St. Stanislaus featuring James Conlon and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, was awarded the 30th International F. Liszt Record Grand Prix by the Liszt Society of Budapest.  The Chorus is also featured on several other Telarc recordings with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.  For a list of compact discs featuring the May Festival Chorus, please click here.

In 1998 the Chorus earned special honors from the Ohio Arts Council’s annual Governor’s Awards for the Arts – the 1998 Irma Lazarus Award.  The award recognizes organizations or artists who have helped shape public support for the arts or have brought recognition to Ohio through artistic excellence.  The May Festival was also inducted into the Greater Cincinnati International Hall of Fame in 2004, the Hall’s inaugural year.

This talented volunteer chorus devotes countless hours to rehearsals and performances all year long.  Chorus members come from all walks of life; teachers, doctors, accountants, students, attorneys, parents and grandparents all have in common a love of music and the joy of singing.

For information about auditioning, please call (513) 744-3229 or email rwetzel@mayfestival.com.

Robert Porco, Director

Heather MacPhail, Assistant to the Director & Accompanist                     

Rosanne Wetzel, Administrator

H. Jane Gavin, Librarian