General Information

Athens Choral society has been a part of the Athens music community since 1971. Other than the director and accompanist, we are an all-volunteer choir. We generally have 3 performances a year - a Spring concert, a Fall/Winter concert, and a Summer fund-raising concert. While our Spring and Fall/Winter performances usually focus on "traditional" SATB choral works, our Summer performances have varied widely, from Gilbert and Sullivan to "cowboy" music celebrating the Old West. Our Summer shows usually feature choreography and a more complex set design than do our other performances. For a more exhaustive history of Athens Choral Society, including past Directors and music performances, see the About ACS page.

Our Spring concert rehearsals begin in mid to late January and continue every Tuesday until the performance in late April or early May. New members are accepted through the month of January.
Our Summer concert rehearsals begin in June with the performance usually scheduled for mid August. Attendance expectations are more relaxed during the Summer as we fully expect and encourage our members to take vacations with their family and friends.
Our Fall/Winter concert rehearsals begin in September and continue every Tuesday until the performance in November or early December. New members are accepted through the month of September.
See the Calendar page for our current practice and performance calendar, and the Rehearsal Map page for our rehearsal location.

Concert dress for women consists of a black skirt, black shoes, and a black blouse. Conservative jewelry is acceptable. Concert dress for men consists of black slacks, black shoes, a white shirt and a black tie. Perfume and cologne are prohibited during performance, as several members of our choir are severely allergic. We have found that coughing, sneezing, and wheezing choir members, while fun to watch, ultmately distract from the performance.

ACS dues are currently set at $25 a season. Dues are used to offset the costs of music, performance space, and the salary of the Director and Accompanist.

Athens Choral Society has a Board of Directors consisting of a President, President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian. These board members are all elected from and by the membership. "Ex Officio" (non-voting) board members include the past president, a publicist and web administrator. Board meetings are conducted once a month and are open to the membership unless otherwise specified.

The Choir Director and Accompanist positions are professionally contracted by the board for a specified period of time. When the contract has expired, the Board retains the right to decline renewal. While not a member of the Board of Directors, the Choir Director does have voting privileges at all board meetings.

Music is chosen by consensus between the Director and the Board.

An ACS cookout/party is usually held following the Summer performance, and a Christmas party (with caroling) is held in December following the Fall/Winter performance. Be forewarned, however, that socializing with fellow choir members may have a profound influence on life-events; at least one couple became husband and wife after meeting at ACS!!