History of the Peoria Area Civic Chorale

Beginning in 1982 as a small ensemble of singers who enjoyed performing vocal music, the Peoria Area Civic Chorale now has grown to an organization of nearly 90 voices representing approximately fifty cities in Central Illinois.  From Renaissance to contemporary, art music to folk and pop, and Broadway to jazz; to the delight of its audiences, the repertoire of the Peoria Area Civic Chorale continues to encompass a wide variety of styles.

Dr. Joseph D. Henry, Professor of Music at Eureka College, has served as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Peoria Area Civic Chorale since June, 1994.  On an annual basis, the Civic Chorale currently presents two weekend concert serious at the Peoria Area Civic Center Theater; one in December the other in May.

Since 1982 the Civic Chorale has performed at two gubernatorial inaugurations, in concert with Michael Crawford at Chicago's United Center, and at conventions for both the America Choral Director's Association and the Illinois Music Educators Association.  In additional, the Peoria Area Civic Chorale has collaborated on several occasions with area arts organizations including the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, the Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra, the Peoria Heritage Ensemble, Opera Illinois, Peoria Ballet, and the Bradley Community Chorus.  The Civic Chorale has also traveled and performed in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors that is dedicated to the Civic Chorale's mission: develop, create, produce and perform a diverse repertoire of the highest quality presented in the most professional manner for the enjoyment, entertainment, aesthetic enrichment and education of its members, its audiences, and those who live in the communities it serves.