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About the Chorus

The Cleveland Orchestra opened Blossom Music Center in 1968 to serve as the orchestra’s summer home.  A large new volunteer chorus was assembled for the inaugural concert and included many members of The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and members of other Northeast Ohio choral groups.  The Blossom Festival Chorus has since established itself as a permanent and beloved annual part of the Blossom Festival and has sung well over 100 concerts since its 1968 debut.

The Blossom Festival Chorus joins the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus at Severance every December for Christmas concerts with The Cleveland Orchestra. They have also performed at Chautauqua and on Cleveland's Public Square for the annual Fourth of July concerts.

Auditions

Auditions for both the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Blossom Festival Chorus are held each spring. For audition dates and requirements, please call the Chorus office at 216-231-7372, send an email to chorus@clevelandorchestra.com, or visit here for the most current audition information.

Blossom Festival Chorus Leadership

Daniel Singer headshot

Daniel Singer

Assistant Director

Daniel Overly

Daniel Overly

Collaborative Pianist

Jill Harbaugh

Manager of Choruses

Lisa Wong

Director

Lisa Wong was appointed director of choruses for The Cleveland Orchestra in May 2018, after serving as acting director throughout the 2017–18 season. She joined the choral staff of The Cleveland Orchestra as assistant director of choruses at the start of the 2010–11 season, helping to prepare The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Blossom Festival Chorus for performances each year. In 2012, she took on added responsibilities as director of The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus.

In addition to her duties at Severance, Wong is a faculty member at The College of Wooster, where she conducts the award-winning Wooster Chorus and teaches courses in conducting and music education. Choirs under her direction have performed at the Central Division conference of the American Choral Directors Association and the state conference of the Ohio Music Education Association. Wong has served as the Repertoire and Resource Chair for World Music and Cultures for the Ohio Choral Directors Association, as well as on the editorial board regarding culturally responsive pedagogy for the Ohio Music Education Association. Her previous academic posts include positions in public and private schools in New York, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.

Active as a clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator, Wong serves regularly as a music panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts and Chorus America. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in music education from West Chester University, as well as Master of Music and Doctor of Music degrees in choral conducting from Indiana University.


Lisa Wong