about gvcs
The Greenwich Village Chamber Singers is now in its 50th season of performing secular and choral music from all periods. Based in Greenwich Village, GVCS is a mixed chamber chorus of approximately 40 voices that has been a recognized creative force in New York City’s music community for more than four decades, with members hailing from all over the greater New York City metropolis.
The Greenwich Village Chamber Singers was founded in 1976 and engaged its first permanent music director, Mark Mangini, in 1980. Over the 41 years of Mr. Mangini’s leadership, GVCS evolved into an auditioned chorus that strives to be one of the most highly regarded amateur choruses in New York City. Following the untimely passing of Mr. Mangini in September 2021 and a season of leadership by interim Music Director Alec Galambos, the chorus welcomed its new permanent Music Director, Dr. Michael Sheetz, in July 2022. Dr. Sheetz has led the chorus into an exciting new era, and GVCS looks forward to a bright future under his baton.
The Greenwich Village Chamber Singers performs musical repertoire in many different languages and musical styles that speak to the varied experiences, history, and diversity of our community. Over its 49 year history the chorus has performed more than 150 concerts throughout the New York City metropolis, with repertoire drawing from a wide range of composers, including the Handel oratorios Israel in Egypt, Judas Maccabaeus, Messiah, and Solomon. Baroque and pre-baroque works include Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and Magnificat, Vivaldi’s Magnificat, and works by Schütz, Monteverdi, and Charpentier. Other performances have encompassed settings of the Mass by Victoria, Byrd, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Bruckner, Dvořák, Kodály, Stravinsky, and Rossini. The group’s repertoire also includes works by Victoria, Palestrina, Mendelssohn, Dett, Brahms, Poulenc, Debussy, Duruflé, Monteverdi, Britten, Guastavino, Tavener and Bruckner, well as motets by living composers McFerrin, Hailstork, Walker, Summers, Ondundu, Wheeler, Boykin, Gjeilo, Powell, Yi, Robles, Burton, Rutter and Fusco, among many others. GVCS has also performed commissioned world premieres by Jonathan David, David Avshamalov, Shahar Regev and Kenedea Lea.
The Greenwich Village Chamber Singers is committed to the presentation of new works by living composers, women composers, and BIPOC composers. This has included a co-commissioned world premiere of David Avshalomov’s 3 Water Songs in 2023, as well as 2 world premieres of works by emerging, NYC-based female composers in 2024: Lay That On Your Heart from Shahar Regev and Sotto Cieli Morbidi from Kenedea Lee. The latter two commissions were made possible in large part due to our first ever grant award from NYSCA, which we received in 2023.
membership
The Greenwich Village Chamber Singers welcomes singers who want to become part of its tradition of making high-quality choral music in Greenwich Village. In a smaller choral ensemble, every voice makes a difference. GVCS is known for its beautiful timbre, high standards of musicianship, and innovative programming. In addition, we spend time together outside of rehearsal, at our annual garden party, monthly dinners, and after-rehearsal drinks. All of these events are optional and meant to strengthen our relationships and encourage a feeling of community among the chorus.
Auditions
Auditions for the 2026-2027 season will be held August 19 and September 2nd at 7:30 p.m. We are currently auditioning experienced singers in all voice parts with good sight-reading skills. Please feel free to contact us if you are not sure of your level. Auditions are brief and relatively informal, and include testing of sight-reading, pitch, and rhythm. You can also find information about our audition process on the Vocal Area Network website (www.VAN.org). To arrange an audition send an email to auditions@gvcsnyc.org or call 646.543.9605.
Rehearsals
Our season typically runs from early September through mid May. Our rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings at St. John’s Church in the Village, 218 West 11th Street (one block west of 7th Avenue) in Manhattan, with the addition of one Saturday daytime rehearsal per concert, to be announced. Regular rehearsals run from 7:30 pm until 9:45 pm. We ask our singers to commit to regular attendance at rehearsals.
Performances
We typically perform two concerts each season, with an additional third concert or fundraiser event every several years. These concerts usually take place on Friday evenings. We generally have two dress rehearsals per concert, usually on Wednesday and Thursday evenings of concert week. Most concerts are performed only once. Concerts are held at various Manhattan venues, but our concert homes are Church of Our Lady of Pompeii and Church of St. Luke in the Fields (both in Greenwich Village). Members are strongly encouraged to sell tickets to our concerts but are not required to sell any specific number of tickets.
Concert Dress
Concert dress for all members is solid black pants or ankle-length skirt, long-sleeved solid black shirt or blouse, and black shoes.
Music
We order all music in bulk and make copies of scores available to our members at cost. Members are expected to buy the music for each concert from the chorus.
Dues
Membership dues are $250 per year, though financial assistance is available to members in need.
YouTube Channel
Visit the GVCS YouTube channel for messages from our director, testimonials from members, and footage from concerts.
