Community Chorus of Pt Townsend & E. Jefferson Cty

The Community Chorus of Port Townsend and East Jefferson County is an educational, artistic and recreational, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to provide amateur singers a stimulating opportunity to improve their skills and perform in public, while providing artistic support and mentoring. The Chorus is composed of volunteer members of all ages and backgrounds from the greater community. We invite and especially encourage youth involved in vocal studies to participate in our concerts whenever possible, and we provide scholarships to those pursuing the study of vocal music beyond high school. The Chorus benefits the general public by providing multiple quality vocal music concerts per year, encouraging music appreciation and participation. We performs two concert seasons a year, with Winter concerts in November or December and Spring Concerts in April, often accompanied by orchestras of talented local musicians. 

The Chorus began in the fall of 1975 when a group of singers banded together to perform Handel's Messiah under the direction of Russell Abbott. Over the past 50 years, the Chorus has had variety of dedicated and talented local musical directors. Jonathon Stafford and Sarah Moran are currently alternating Spring and Fall concert seasons. The 2025 season will be a special concert featuring Handel's Messiah, directed by a special guest director, Laurie de Leonne.

The Chorus is managed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors, elected from the membership. The Chorus's income is composed of business and community donations, from concert ticket sales -- tickets are nominally $20, but not required since we want everyone to be able to attend. Our funds go towards purchasing music, renting rehearsal and concert venues, paying our local Choral Directors and professional musician accompanists, and and minor operating costs.