Bucks County Choral Society
2025-2026, our 53nd season
Journey of Hope
A word from our Artistic Director:
As singers, we know Dickinson’s thoughts to be true because we have experienced the thrill of singing music we love in live performance. It can be hard to find hope in the isolation we sometimes feel in today's world of smart phones and computer screens. But when we share those special moments with our friends and family, both alongside us on stage and listening intently in the audience, we can see our place in community come alive. We begin to sense that we are part of something much larger than our own daily trials and concerns.
The familiar major works we are performing this season are as sure-fire sparks of hope as music can muster. This is exhilarating music that has proven irresistible to audiences in many different times and places. We close our season with our first ever “Community Big Sing” – a truly immersive type of singing where audience and choir become one, led by internationally acclaimed song leader Moira Smiley.
- Thomas Lloyd
The American poet Emily Dickinson once described hope as something...
that perches in the soul –
and sings the tune without the words –
and never stops – at all –
Hope for Peace
Maurice Duruflé Requiem with Symphony in C
Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 4:00pm, Doylestown Presbyterian Church
with these sacred anthems with organ:
• I was glad - David Hurd
• Abide with me - Ivor Atkins
• To sit and dream - Rosephanye Powell
• Ride on! - Grayston Ives
• Now is the time to free the heart (premiere) - Thomas Lloyd
Featuring Lauren Cook, mezzo soprano, Daniel Taylor, tenor, Steven Eddy, baritone, and Timothy Harrell, organ
Be immersed in the profound warmth and transcendence of the Duruflé Requiem, performed with a 20-piece orchestra of strings and harp from Symphony in C. Three young singers on the cusp of promising careers are our featured soloists. The program also features cathedral anthems by Grayston Ives, David Hurd, Rosephanye Powell, Ivor Atkins, and Thomas Lloyd.
Lauren Cook, mezzo soprano
Daniel Taylor, tenor
Steven Eddy, baritone
Hope for Light
Annual Festival of Christmas Music - A Ceremony of Carols
Benjamin Britten - Ceremony of Carols and Christmas favorites
Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 4:00pm
St. Paul's Lutheran, Doylestown
Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 4:00pm
St. Paul's Lutheran, Doylestown
with Elaine Christy harp and Timothy Harrell, organ
There is no better source of light in the darkness than Benjamin Britten’s brilliant and heartfelt Ceremony of Carols. This will be our third performance of this work with the incomparable harpist, Elaine Christy. In the intimate space of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Doylestown, tickets for these concerts will be going fast!
Hope for Humanity
Ludwig van Beethoven - Missa Solemnis with Symphony in C
Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 4:00pm
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Doylestown
with the Bucks County Community College Choir, Rochelle Reed, director
and soloists Renee MacDonald, soprano, Maren Montalbano Brehm, mezzo soprano, Daniel Taylor, tenor, and Daniel Schwartz, bass
Though less frequently performed than his symphonies, this is Beethoven’s final and we believe greatest statement, full of both the human and majestic side of this iconic composer. Listen up close and personal to Symphony in C, the combined forces of BCCS and the Bucks County Community College Choir, and a stellar quartet of soloists making their Choral Society debuts.
Renee MacDonald, soprano
Daniel Taylor, tenor
Maren Montablbano Brehm, mezzo soprano
Daniel Schwartz, bass
Sponsored by BLBB Charitable, the giving arm of BLBB Advisors
Voices of Hope
A Bucks County Big Sing with Moira Smiley
to Celebrate America's 250th Birthday
Saturday afternoon, May 30, 2026 at 4:00pm
Location: TBD
Internationally acclaimed song leader Moira Smiley will lead us all,
choir and community singing together, in an immersive experience
celebrating the richness of America and its musical history
on this special anniversary. All are welcome! Come to sing, come to listen!
Last season we introduced our audience to the unique folk-meets-classical blend of American composer Moira Smiley's music to rave reviews. Now we’ll be with her in person as this internationally acclaimed song leader leads us all, the choir and community singing together in an immersive experience, celebrating the richness of America and its musical history on this special anniversary. No ticket required for this event. All are welcome! Come to sing, come to listen, come to experience!
Moira Smiley, song leader