Boston's Best Choirs

Boston is one of the best cities in the country for musical entertainment. From huge pop concerts to award-winning musicals, there is always something on for music fans. That includes dozens of talented choirs that sing around the city all year long. Some only perform a few times a year, so keep an eye on their schedules so as not to miss a show. Classical Music Month is in September, so it is a great time to catch a choir in action.

(Photo Credit: Handel And Haydn Society)

Handel & Haydn Society
9 Harcourt St.,
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 262-1815
www.handelandhaydn.org

The Handel & Haydn Society performs baroque and classical music in Boston. The period instrument orchestra is dedicated to performing authentic historical pieces. It has a chorus of more than 50 talented singers who sing music by composers like Bach, Handel, Mozart and Beethoven. They also lend holiday cheer to Faneuil Hall in December with "Holiday Sing," which is a sing-along of Christmas carols. With about 10 H&H shows per season, there are plenty of opportunities to see this talented and well-practiced choir perform.

Related: Boston's Best Choirs

(Photo Credit: Cantata Singers And Ensemble)

Boston Cantata Singers
729 Boylston St., Suite 305
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 868-5885
www.cantatasingers.org

The Boston Cantata Singers has a repertoire full of classics. Their typical season is less than 10 performances with a mixture of concerts and chamber music. The Cantata singers were initially dedicated to performing only Bach's cantatas, putting on some of the first performances of those compositions in Boston's history. Today, concerts include other classical compositions and even modern music. The choir consists of talented performers from around Boston who range from full-time professional musicians to doctors.

(Photo Credit: Cantemus Chamber Chorus)

Cantemus Chamber Chorus
Ipswich, MA 01938
(888) 246-7871
www.cantemus.org

While the Cantemus Chamber Chorus is associated with Boston via the Greater Boston Choral Consortium, its select group of singers is actually from around the North Shore and even farther. They do stellar renditions of classical music dating back as far as the 1500s, but their repertoire contains much more than the standard fare. They also do ethnic music, modern popular music and more. Cantemus has a very select season with less than a handful of concerts, so plan wisely.

(Photo Credit: Back Bay Chorale)

Back Bay Chorale
Boston, MA 02117
(617) 648-3885
www.backbaychorale.org

Back Bay Chorale puts on some of Boston's best vocal performances. With 120 members performing masterworks at shows in venues like the Charles River Esplanade and Sanders Theatre, the Back Bay Chorale aims to impress. Music ranges in periods from the Renaissance to today. However, this group shines with its classical pieces in its annual concert series. Like most Boston choirs, Christmas is a great time to see Back Bay Chorale, but they are singing all year, even offering a free summer concert with the Boston Landmarks Orchestra.

(Photo Credit: The Oriana Consort)

Oriana Consort
Cambridge, MA 02238
(339) 203-5876
www.orianaconsort.org

The Oriana Consort sprung out of the multiple musical projects of Walter Chapin, founder and director. It has a repertoire ranging from the early Renaissance to today. They do several local concerts a year, but also travel around New England and as far away as Germany to participate in various concert series. The Oriana Consort is also available for hire, so event planners can add a classy touch to any party.

Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.