About Us

About the Eastern Shore Choral Society

Since 1992, the Eastern Shore Choral Society (ESCS) has been enriching Baldwin County through the joy and beauty of choral music. What began as a small community chorus has grown into a vibrant family of singers dedicated to sharing exceptional music with audiences throughout the Eastern Shore and beyond. The ESCS is a non-auditioned community chorus open to singers from high-school age through the young at heart. Our members come from a wide range of musical backgrounds and experience levels, united by one simple thing: a love of singing. The only requirements for membership are the ability to match pitch, a commitment to regular rehearsals, and an enthusiasm for making music together. Our growth reflects the enthusiasm of our community. In 2011, the ESCS consisted of 45 singers. Just eight years later, our membership had grown to more than 100 voices.

Music for Everyone

Each concert season, the ESCS strives to present audiences with programs that are both entertaining and enriching, featuring music of the highest quality and an exciting variety of styles. Our repertoire has included major works from the classical choral tradition, including Haydn’s Nelson Mass, Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music, Rutter’s Requiem, Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Handel’s Messiah. We have also explored a wide range of musical styles, from spirituals, patriotic selections, and American folk music to Sacred Harp, Broadway favorites, and music from the early 20th century. Over the years, we have performed the works of celebrated composers including Morten Lauridsen, Rachmaninoff, Aaron Copland, Emma Lou Diemer, and Dan Forrest. Whether presenting a beloved choral masterpiece or a lively contemporary program, the ESCS seeks to offer something meaningful and enjoyable for every listener.

Connecting Through Music

Community is at the heart of the Eastern Shore Choral Society. We are deeply grateful for the support we receive from the people and organizations of Baldwin County, and we believe in giving that support back through music and service. The ESCS has presented Veterans Day concerts and participated in community events such as Gospel Fest, helping raise funds for local organizations and causes. We have also shared the stage with the Baldwin Pops, performing at Fourth of July and Memorial Day concerts in Fairhope. Our musical partnerships have taken us beyond Baldwin County as well. In 2018, the ESCS was honored to perform with the Mobile Symphony Orchestra for Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 and later that year served as the featured chorus for the MSO’s Holiday Concert. Our singers have also had remarkable opportunities to share their music on the national and international stage. In June 2018, 27 ESCS members traveled to New York City to perform Dan Forrest’s Jubilate Deo at Carnegie Hall alongside choral groups from across the country. In June 2023, 21 ESCS women traveled to Italy, where they performed at the Duomo in Orvieto, at St. Ignatius Church in Rome, and during Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Investing in the Next Generation

While bringing exceptional choral music to our audiences is one of the ESCS’s primary goals, our mission reaches far beyond the concert stage. We are committed to supporting the future of music in Baldwin County by providing financial assistance to middle and high school choral programs. We understand the lasting impact music education can have on young people. Participation in music builds confidence, discipline, creativity, collaboration, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. By supporting school choral programs, the ESCS helps encourage, foster, and nurture the next generation of singers, musicians, and music educators.

We invite you to be part of the ESCS family. Whether you join us as a singer, attend our concerts, volunteer your time, or become a financial supporter, your involvement helps us continue our mission: to bring people together through the transformative power of music and to help ensure that music remains a meaningful part of every student’s life.