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Our History

Concert photo from balcony

Performing classical music since 1966

Three renowned directors

Sharing music with the community

Founder Peter Edwards

In the fall of 1966, Peter L. Edwards, organist and choir director of Old South Union Church in South Weymouth, invited singers from local churches to come together to perform Handel’s Messiah. Under Peter’s direction, the group chose to continue singing together and became the core of the Fine Arts Chorale.

In the succeeding years, the Chorale would grow in number and perform locally with the Brockton Symphony Orchestra, the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra and the Boston Symphony as part of the Symphony Youth Concerts.

Highlights

1980
At the invitation of the European Choral Symposium, and to benefit UNICEF, the Chorale gave concerts in London, Innsbruck and Salzburg.

1982
The Chorale traveled to Canada for a Montreal concert tour

1985
The Chorale was invited to perform at the Dubrovnik Music Festival in Yugoslavia and the Pendelli Festival in Athens, Greece.

1986
The Chorale traveled to Yugoslavia and Italy where they performed Puccini’s Missa di Gloria accompanied by the Rijeka Philharmonic Orchestra in the presence of Puccini’s granddaughter. At Sander’s Theatre, the Chorale performed the American debut of Hayg Boyadjian’s moving memorial to the Armenian genocide, Time of Silence.

1993
The Chorale performed at St. David’s Cathedral in Wales, St. Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Canterbury Cathedral in England.

Director Dr. Libor Dudas

Tenors during a concert

In 2001, Dr. Libor Dudas became the second music director of the Fine Arts Chorale.

Dr. Dudas expanded the Fine Arts Chorale’s repertoire to include famous opera selections. In April of 2006, he presented a very successful concert of opera favorites including Act I of Verdi’s La Traviata at the Duxbury Performing Arts Center.

Highlights

On several occasions, including the Tall Ships event, the Chorale was invited to sing at Old North Church in Boston where Dr. Dudas served as organist and Choirmaster.  

In 2007, members of the Chorale joined a national group of choristers to sing at the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia, in the presence of then President, George W. Bush.  

In April of 2009, in conjunction with Ars et Amici, Libor led a group of members to his native Croatia where they performed several concerts.

In 2009, Dr. Dudas led the Fine Arts Chorale in the first North American performance of Donizetti’s Messa di Requiem.

Director Richard Travers

Photograph of Director Richard Travers in a tuxedo

In 2009, the Fine Arts Chorale welcomed Richard Travers as its third music director. 

With an extensive background in both jazz and classical music, Richard has introduced new and exciting musical events as evidenced by the Spring, 2016 concert entitled, Music of Love, Hope and Freedom, in which the Chorale welcomed renowned vocalist, Rebecca Parris and the Kuumunity Collaborations for an exhilarating concert celebrating works by American composers. 

In May of 2017, to the delight of audience members and singers alike, the chorale presented an unforgettable Celtic concert complete with the O’Shea Chaplin Irish Dancers, piper, Bob Cameron, Tom “Hurricane” LaMark, and the Silver Spears Express.

Highlights

Music of Love, Faith, Hope and Freedom, performed in 2016, featured American composers. 

In 2017, a Celtic Concert included Celtic Harp and Irish Step Dancers. 

The Chorale sang music by contemporary composer Arvo Part in the spring 2019 concert.

On December 5, 2021, after an 18-month hiatus due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the chorus returned to singing in a sold-out holiday concert featuring Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, as well as many other holiday favorites and a surprise visit from Santa! 

In 2022, the Chorale was joined by members of the Newton Community Chorus for a moving performance of the beloved Mozart Requiem and Haydn’s Little Organ Mass.

Join Our Chorale

Based in South Weymouth, the Fine Arts Chorale welcomes singers from the Boston area and throughout the South Shore. We come together to perform the glorious and timeless music of the classical choral repertoire.