Our Story

77 Years of Harmony

From the 1949 Mozart Mass to Koussevitzky’s praise, Chorus pro Musica has shaped Boston’s soul with transformative choral experiences.

Our Story

What began at Trinity Church in 1949—where Mozart’s Mass in C minor drew an electric crowd of 2,000 into a sanctuary built for just 1,400—sparked a movement that still echoes through Boston’s halls today. That New England premiere, led by founder Alfred Nash (Bud) Patterson, wasn’t just a performance; it was a revelation, blending Aaron Copland’s bold In the Beginning with the timeless fire of Mozart.

“The best chorus I’ve ever heard.”

— Serge Koussevitzky, BSO Music Director

Under conductors like Charles Munch and Erich Leinsdorf, we became the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s chorus of choice for two decades, unveiling world premieres like Poulenc’s Gloria and recording Wagner’s Lohengrin—the first full opera captured in the U.S. We filled Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood, and Lincoln Center with voices that transcended boundaries.

Across 77 years and more than 1,000 singers, we’ve embraced the roles of storyteller, community builder, and innovator—always returning to music’s power to uplift, protest, and unite. Today, rooted in Copley Square’s heart, we continue that legacy: championing accessible experiences that become cultural memory.

What will your chapter be?

Vision & Mission

Chorus pro Musica recognizes choral music as a vital and transformative art form, one that deepens understanding, ignites imagination, and elevates the human experience. As a leading voice in Greater Boston’s cultural landscape, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of the choral tradition, engaging communities to foster a deeper appreciation of choral music, and inspiring broader participation across New England.

Chorus pro Musica brings people together through the power of choral music, creating transformative performances that challenge, inspire, and resonate. We offer singers a space to grow as artists and individuals, and we provide audiences with moments of beauty, insight, and shared experience. Through bold programming, inclusive outreach, and meaningful collaboration, we expand access to choral music and enrich the cultural life of Greater Boston.

Music Director

Jamie Kirsch leads with passion, bridging classics and new works. Under his direction, CpM premieres modern compositions, partners with symphonic collaborators, and nurtures inclusive rehearsal spaces.

Jamie Kirsch, Music Director
Leadership & Board

Guided by artists, administrators, and civic leaders, CPM balances tradition with bold growth.

Kendrick Smaellie

Chair

Jeff Mitchell

Vice-Chair

Masha Gelfand

Treasurer

Ariane Frank

Clerk

Becca MacKeen

Board Member

Amanda Simeone

Development

Jamie Kirsch

Music Director

Ed Simeone

Executive Director

Elijah Botkin

Board Member