Cleveland Orchestra Chorus Will Mark 75th Anniversary
The volunteer chorus celebrates its milestone on October 24, 2026, with the U.S. premiere of a new work.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Classical
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The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus will celebrate its 75th anniversary on October 24, 2026, at Severance Music Center. The event will feature the U.S. premiere of Eternity in an Hour, a new work by composer Eric Whitacre.
Why it matters
This concert commemorates seven decades of volunteer choral excellence in Cleveland, building on a successful 2023 residency with Eric Whitacre. The collaboration highlights the group's ongoing evolution as they perform alongside the Cleveland Orchestra.
The anniversary concert, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., features tickets ranging from $36 to $216. The program also includes John Corigliano's 1960 piece, Fern Hill.
The players
Cleveland Orchestra Chorus
This ensemble consists entirely of volunteers and performs major operas and symphonic pieces with the Cleveland Orchestra.
Eric Whitacre
He is a contemporary composer known for his choral works and innovative integration of live electronics in performance.
Franz Welser-Möst
He is the music director of the Cleveland Orchestra and is scheduled to retire at the end of the current season.
John Corigliano
He is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer whose work Fern Hill will be included in the upcoming program.
The details
Composer Eric Whitacre will conduct the performance, using an array of synthesizers to record, manipulate, and re-broadcast the chorus in real time. The new work Eternity in an Hour comprises eight movements set to poetry by William Blake.
Timeline
The chorus last hosted Eric Whitacre in 2023.
The 75th anniversary concert takes place on October 24, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
Industry Dynamics
The chorus continues a trend of elite classical ensembles integrating modern technology to expand the sonic possibilities of choral music. This performance signals a transition in the orchestra's history as it prepares for leadership changes following the retirement of music director Franz Welser-Möst.
Tickets for the anniversary performance at Severance Music Center are currently available, with pricing tiers ranging from $36 to $216. Attendees will experience a technologically advanced performance utilizing real-time live electronics.
The takeaway
Audience members can anticipate a unique blend of traditional choral work and modern digital sound manipulation. Those interested in the performance should book tickets early to secure preferred seating at the historic venue.
Further reading
Learn more about local performances at the Classical section.
More information
Find additional details on the upcoming event at the Cleveland Orchestra ticket and event information.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cleveland.
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