named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Choral Performances of Sacred Masterpieces
Presents large-scale sacred choral works such as Bach's Mass in B Minor, Handel's Messiah, and Verdi's Requiem with full orchestration in acoustically resonant sacred spaces.
Commissioning New Sacred Works
Supports contemporary composers, such as Laura Jobin-Acosta, to create new sacred choral music that reflects diverse cultural and spiritual voices.
Messiah Sing-Along
Interactive performance of Handel's Messiah allowing audience and chorus participation, fostering community engagement with classic choral music.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Live Music Performances & Concerts 2 activities
- Organizing and promoting concert seasonsPlans and announces concert seasons, including milestone events such as the 75th anniversary season, with scheduled performances at Canterbury House - Nave and other venues. Maintains a mailing list to inform subscribers about upcoming concerts and chorus news.
- Performing at public and ceremonial eventsParticipates in numerous theater productions, ceremonies, and services across the metropolitan region, presenting over 200 formal concerts and special performances since inception, including appearances at Carnegie Hall and other notable venues.
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Community Choral Rehearsals & Performances 1 activity
- Conducting rehearsals and concert preparationsConducts weekly choral rehearsals from September to May on Monday evenings and holds regular joint rehearsals with soloists and orchestra in preparation for concerts. Rehearsals occur at venues such as Canterbury House - Nave, including dress rehearsals and full run-throughs prior to public performances.
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Community Music Performances & Education 1 activity
- Engaging youth and children in benefit concertsHas involved over 3,000 children in benefit concerts since its founding, including a 2017 performance of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony at Carnegie Hall featuring a youth choir of 350 students from nine choirs, highlighting a commitment to youth engagement and music education.
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Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
- Presenting major choral concerts and oratoriosProduces and performs two to three major choral concerts per season, including sacred choral masterpieces and large-scale orchestral works, with a chorus of 75–100 singers, professional instrumentalists, organists, and soloists. Performances include works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Britten, Handel, Mahler, and others, often in sacred spaces such as the Church of the Heavenly Rest and Canterbury House - Nave.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$124K
Contributions & grants$94K75%
Program service revenue$27K22%
Investment income$2K2%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$149K
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$60K
Cash$38K
Investments$23K
Liabilities$0
Net assets$60K
Liquid reserves4.8 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -20.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 12
- ANNE CARTER SEELER — DIRECTOR
- CURTIS J STROHL — CHAIR
- GERALD FISHER — DIRECTOR
- JANE STAGEBERG — DIRECTOR
- JOHN D LEONARD — DIRECTOR
- KRISTIN TOPPETA — DIRECTOR
- MARY ELLEN BIANCO — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL J SMITH — DIRECTOR
- PAMELA HELLER — DIRECTOR
- ROBERT I JONES — DIRECTOR
- ROSEMARIE DEAN — DIRECTOR
- SUZANNE MARTINUCCI — DIRECTOR
relationships · 41
Who they work with
- Aaron Copland School of Music at Queen’s College, CUNY Partner — Jonathan De Vries holds an M.S. in Education from this institution.
- Adriano Ariani Partner — Composer whose work Oratorio di San Francesco will be performed in the 75th anniversary season opening concert.
- American Cathedral in Paris Partner — Employed Charles Dodsley Walker as organist/choirmaster and where he made his orchestral conducting debut.
- American Guild of Organists Network — Charles Dodsley Walker was a Fellow and served on the National Executive Committee, including as National President for four years.
- Arturo Toscanini Partner — Conducted alongside Adriano Ariani at the Choral Institution
- Bard Festival Chorale Partner — Christopher Tefft recently appeared with the Bard Festival Chorale in Carnegie Hall, suggesting a collaborative performance relationship.
- Berkshire Choral Festival Partner — Co-founded and led by Charles Dodsley Walker as dean and music director for 10 years.
- Blake Friedman Partner — Soloist performing with the Canterbury Choral Society.
- Blue Hill Troupe Partner — Employed Charles Dodsley Walker as music director for 35 years, during which he conducted all 13 Gilbert and Sullivan operas.
- Brooklyn Academy of Music Partner — Venue where Adriano Ariani directed a season of Italian operas
- Calvin University Partner — Jonathan De Vries holds a B.A. in Conducting and Voice from this institution.
- Chapin School Partner — Included Charles Dodsley Walker on its faculty.
- Choral Institution Partner — Hosted Adriano Ariani as conductor for six consecutive seasons alongside Arturo Toscanini
- Church of the Heavenly Rest Partner — Employed Charles Dodsley Walker for 38 years as organist/choirmaster and where he founded the Canterbury Choral Society.
- Church of the Heavenly Rest Partner — Hosts Canterbury Choral Society performances at its venue since the organization's founding in 1952.
- Church of the Heavenly Rest Partner — Original sponsor and ongoing partner; Canterbury's rehearsals and performances are held at this Episcopal church, with which it maintains a special relationship.
- Church of the Heavenly Rest Partner — Provides rehearsal space for the choir.
- Death of Classical Partner — Hannah Spierman performed in the New York City premiere of Nico Muhly's The Street with Death of Classical's Crypt Sessions, indicating a collaborative performance relationship.
- Greenwich Country Day School Partner — Jonathan De Vries serves as Upper School Choral and Musical Theater Director, indicating an institutional affiliation.
- Jonathan De Vries Partner — Conductor of the Canterbury Choral Society.
- Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music Partner — Jonathan De Vries studied at this institution in Kecskemét, Hungary.
- Manhattan School of Music Partner — Included Charles Dodsley Walker on its faculty.
- Marble Collegiate Church Partner — Choir affiliation for a section leader also active in Canterbury Choral Society.
- Metropolitan Opera Partner — Performed Adriano Ariani's St. Francis Oratorio at Carnegie Hall
- NYU Steinhardt Partner — Jonathan De Vries studied Kodály method, music theory, and ear training at this institution.
- New York Continuo Collective Partner — Anna Willson is a regular member of the New York Continuo Collective, which presents concerts at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, indicating an ongoing artistic affiliation.
- New York Philharmonic Chorus Partner — Christopher Tefft performs with both Canterbury Choral Society and the New York Philharmonic Chorus, indicating a professional artistic connection.
- New York University Partner — Included Charles Dodsley Walker on its faculty.
- Pete Seeger Partner — Students under Jonathan De Vries have performed with this artist.
- Pietro Mascagni Partner — Friend and composer whose opera Adriano Ariani created a piano reduction for
+ 11 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Inclusive engagement of singers through shared artistic commitmentmethodology: inclusive_artistic_engagementBy welcoming singers of all levels into choral performance through emotional and artistic connection to the music, the organization fosters broad participation and collective ownership of the artistic process.
- Presentation of sacred choral music in sacred spacesmethodology: sacred-space performanceBy performing sacred choral music in sacred spaces with full orchestration, the organization enhances the spiritual and artistic experience for audiences and performers, deepening engagement through contextually resonant acoustics and atmosphere.
- Programming of historically significant and underperformed choral worksmethodology: historically_informed_programmingBy featuring underperformed or historically significant choral compositions, the organization expands access to neglected repertoire and enriches cultural understanding, preserving artistic heritage through revival and performance.