The Greenwich Choral Society will open its 2026-27 season with a community Summer Sing featuring music from Francis Poulenc’s Gloria and John Rutter’s Requiem on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Christ Church Greenwich.
Onsite registration will open at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, and the rehearsal will run from 7 to 9 p.m. at the church, located at 254 E. Putnam Ave. Admission is $20.
The evening will be led by Greenwich Choral Society Artistic Director Christine Howlett, with pianist Jonathan Vaughn accompanying the singers. Howlett also serves as director of choral activities at Vassar College, while Vaughn is associate director of music at Christ Church Greenwich.
The Summer Sing is open to experienced singers, people returning to choral music after time away, and those who have never performed either work. No audition, previous experience with the repertoire, or membership in the Greenwich Choral Society is required. Community members who would prefer to listen rather than sing may also attend.
Participants will rehearse selections from Poulenc’s Gloria and Rutter’s Requiem. The evening will include a break for refreshments and conversation before concluding with an informal run-through of the music. The final run-through is intended to give participants the experience of performing the selections together, rather than serving as a formal public concert.
Singers may bring their own scores or borrow copies at the event. Those who register in advance will receive access to practice tracks that can be used to become familiar with the vocal parts before the rehearsal.
Poulenc composed Gloria between 1959 and 1960 for soprano soloist, chorus, and orchestra. The six-movement work sets the Latin Gloria text and moves between forceful choral passages, quieter sections, and lively rhythmic music.
Rutter completed his Requiem in 1985. The seven-movement composition combines Latin texts with English passages from the Psalms and the Book of Common Prayer and has become one of his most widely performed choral works.
The Summer Sing also offers prospective members an opportunity to meet the organization’s musical leaders and sing alongside participants from Greenwich and surrounding communities in Fairfield and Westchester counties.
Founded in 1926, the Greenwich Choral Society marked its centennial during the 2025-26 season. The auditioned ensemble presents large choral works, holiday programs, and community events throughout the year.
Advance registration and additional information are available at gcs-ct.org
