Raquel García is now in her 24th season as Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Chamber Chorus. She is also the former Artistic Director of The Swarthmore Chorale in Swarthmore, PA, and is the former Assistant Conductor of the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia. In May 1990, Ms. García assisted in conducting the Mendelssohn Club in Robert Moran's world premiere performance of "Chant du Cygne" for four choruses, four orchestras. She is the former director of The Chamber Singers of Harrisburg. During her tenure in Harrisburg, she participated regularly in the annual Central Pennsylvania Choral Festival and was invited by the American Choral Directors Association to conduct in the 1988 regional convention in Philadelphia. The Harrisburg Patriot News praised her as a conductor who "clearly knows music and how to bring the best of it from choral groups".

She has prepared choruses for such conductors as Tamara Brooks, Fiora Contino, Alan Harler, Robert Page and Gregg Smith. She has led the Philadelphia Chamber Chorus in such varied works as Bach's "Magnificat" and "Mass in F", Brahms' "Requiem", Duruflé's "Requiem", Handel's "Judas Maccabæus" and "Jephtha", Haydn's "Lord Nelson Mass" and "Creation Mass", Honneger's "King David", Mozart's "Vespers", Fauré's "Requiem", and Rutter's "Gloria". A native of Puerto Rico, Ms. García studied at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Theory and a Master's degree in Choral Conducting, both from Temple University where she studied with Elaine Brown and Alan Harler.

In association with the Narberth Community Theatre, in November 2005, she was the music director for the Philadelphia area premiere of Paul Gordon's "Jane Eyre the Musical". The Main Line Times described it "led by Music Director Raquel García's superb orchestra".

Raquel García photo

Judith Large, accompanist, received her Bachelor's degree in piano performance from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Virginia. She earned a Master's degree in piano performance from Temple University where she studied with Adele Marcus, Harvey Wedeen, and Lambert Orkis. She has worked as opera coach/accompanist for the Mississippi Opera Festival; assistant to the Artistic Director of the Pennsylvania Opera Theater; accompanist to the Thomas Jefferson University Chorus; accompanist for The Swarthmore Chorale in Swarthmore, PA., and, since 1984, as accompanist of the Philadelphia Chamber Chorus. She has also appeared as guest pianist with various organizations, including the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, Montgomery County Community Chorus, and Bucks County Community Chorus.

Judith Large photo

OUR MISSION:

To perform concerts that reveal the common threads in music from diverse musical traditions, while achieving high standards of musical excellence, sensitivity, and humanity.

OUR VISION:

To hearten and inspire our listeners in the ongoing work of knowing, improving, and honoring life.

The Philadelphia Chamber Chorus was founded in 1951 by Dr. William Reese of Haverford College. For more than fifty years it has presented sacred and secular music from all periods in history. Its activities encourage, foster, and promote a wider and deeper appreciation of music with particular emphasis on the outstanding choral literature of the past and present.

  • Gregory Alexander
  • Leslie Bixby
  • Deborah Diserens
  • Gordon Downing
  • Raquel García
  • Kristin Kalbach
  • Judy Large
  • William Leatherbee
  • Catherine Rush
  • Susan Shaman
  • Julie Stewart