Our history

Founded in 1971 by Gwen Gould, the West Village Chorale is a non-sectarian, community based, not-for-profit organization. After many years based at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields, the Chorale now rehearses and performs at the historic Judson Memorial Church, located on the south side of Washington Square, in Greenwich Village. The Chorale has performed a wide range of traditional and contemporary choral music, including commissions, performances and premieres of works by local composers including Robert De Cormier, Michael Ward, Robert Beckhard, Jerome Jolles, and David Goldstein and current Music Director Michael Conley.

In 1998 the Chorale was led for two seasons by Dr. Andrew Megill. Michael Conley has led the Chorale since September 2000. The Chorale had its beginnings in service to the community and has continued that tradition for the past 40 years. Our annual Caroling Walk through the streets of Greenwich Village has become a popular holiday tradition, as well as the Messiah Sing each holiday season. The Summer Sings series provides a forum for music lovers to sing classic choral works, led by the New York area's outstanding choral conductors. The West Village Chorale is listed on the Vocal Area Network and Choral Net.

Our Advisory Board

Douglas Carter Beane, playwright, screenwriter
Joseph Flummerfelt, Emeritus Conductoor, Westminster Choirs
Gwen Gould, Columbia Festival Orchestra and Gwen Gould Ensembles
Kristine Jepson, Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano
Elliott Levine, Western Wind Vocal Ensemble
Nancianne Parrella, St. Ignatius Loyola and Westminster Choir College
Johannes Somary, Conductor; Music Director, AmorArtis Chorale