Best Choirs In The Bay Area

An extraordinary chorus with the 300-strong power of harmony is credited as first in the LGBT choral tradition, and with its own mission statement: "The mission of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus is to inspire its audience, members, and the world through high-quality choral experiences." Now entering its 38th season under the leadership of Artistic Director Dr. Timothy Seelig, the internationally-renowned group regularly performs, occasionally with guest vocal stars, in Davies Symphony Hall and the Castro Theatre. It was another venue, the steps of City Hall, where the newly-formed chorus first performed during the candlelight vigil for Harvey Milk on the day of his assassination in 1978. With 50 community appearances every year, recordings and plaudits, SFGMC continue to lift their voices to raise both awareness and funds for more than a dozen Bay Area charitable organizations.

The choir pre-dates the Gothic Revival cathedral itself. Since its founding as an institution in the Great Earthquake year of 1906, Grace Cathedral has had a men's choir. Boys were added in 1913; they attend Cathedral School for Boys, as is typical in the Anglican tradition. One of the few such choirs in the nation, the 12 professional choirmen and 24 choristers can be heard at Sunday Eucharist and Thursday Evensong. Christmas concerts at Grace Cathedral are a San Francisco tradition. Also contributing to the musical experience at Grace Cathedral are the Cathedral Camarata mixed choral group and the 7,466 pipes of the classic cathedral organ. A tip: the weekly choir rehearsal on Sunday mornings at 10:15 a.m. is open to visitors.

Cantabile Youth Singers have graced the stage at Carnegie Hall and given performances with the Symphony Silicon Valley that "elicited the loudest ovation this reviewer ever has heard at the California Theatre," according to the San Jose Mercury News. Clearly, Cantabile Youth Singers bring extraordinary experiences. Prep, intermediate and ensemble choirs teach young singers about performing in a group and eventually how to read music, starting at age four and continuing through prep, intermediate and ensemble. A girls' a cappella group and a young men's ensemble also perform. Annual spring and fall concerts, a gala and a choral festival are highlights for singers, families and the community for more than 20 years. At the top of the performance ladder, Vocalise is for the most capable singers ages 12-18.

Founded in 1989, with an extensive touring résumé, ABS specializes in the works of J. S. Bach and other early vocal masterworks. In addition to a subscription series of concerts, ABS presents an annual Summerfest of chamber music, featuring concerts, recitals and lectures. ABS has recorded and toured extensively. Ticketed events take place at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music near Civic Center, as well as in various Bay Area churches. For the holidays, Bach's Christmas Oratorio will be performed at Saint Ignatius Church, San Francisco and at the Mondavi Center, UC Davis. Three seasonal performances of Handel's Messiah take place at Grace Cathedral. The 27th season 2015-16 performance calendar is published online.

Can you read music? Do you enjoy classical, jazz or pop? "Sing with us," say the folks at this 40-voice group formerly known as Pacific Mozart Ensemble. Nominated for a Grammy in 2005, they've been making music for 35 seasons, performing at Carnegie Hall and overseas. Past collaborations have been with Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, Coro Nacional de Cuba, Napa Valley Symphony, The Oakland East Bay Symphony, American Bach Soloists, Dave Brubeck, Meredith Monk, Bobby McFerrin and other outstanding vocalists and composers. Contemporary compositions and experimental works are part of the DNA of these musical ambassadors.