About

New Amsterdam Singers is a mid-sized, mixed-voice, avocational chorus. We are dedicated to sharing our love of choral music with each other and with audiences in New York City and abroad.

Our mission is to inspire and educate our listeners and ourselves by performing a diverse and extended repertoire combining traditional choral gems with new and lesser-known works, many of them a cappella.

Through adventurous programs, commissions and premieres, and collaborations with other ensembles, we strive to nurture and expand New York City’s dynamic choral community.

Fifty-Plus Years in the Life of the Chorus

In 1966, the Master Institute Chorus, conducted by Allan Miller, was run as an adult education course, with Clara Longstreth as assistant conductor and Elizabeth Rodgers as accompanist. On Miller’s departure in 1968, Clara Longstreth became conductor.

When the Master Institute dissolved in 1971, Clara, Elizabeth and an informal group of singers decided to regroup under the name New Amsterdam Singers. From 1972-1978 NAS was in association with the Bloomingdale House of Music. In 1978 it became fully independent under the management of its own elected Board of Directors.

Today NAS is a chorus of around 60 skilled singers whose concert performances in New York City and abroad have won critical acclaim. The group is known for the variety and interest of its repertoire, ranging from the 15th century to the present day. The chorus specializes in a cappella repertoire and regularly performs 20th century, contemporary and commissioned works. It continues to rehearse on the Upper West Side, and performs three programs each season around the greater metropolitan area.

All concerts are performed in Manhattan at such locations as Broadway Presbyterian, Merkin Hall, St. Ignatius Episcopal Church, the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and Advent Lutheran Church. The chorus has also performed at most of the city’s major halls, including Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall, and in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Washington, D.C., Westchester and New Jersey.

During the 2017-2018 season, NAS celebrated our 50th anniversary with multiple commissions and celebrations.

Beginning in 1985, New Amsterdam Singers has undertaken an international concert tour every other year. While our tours are of course about sharing our music with foreign audiences, we also enjoy the food, the sights, and traveling together with friends.

Tour Chronology