About Us
The Princeton Singers not only performs classical favorites but also rarely heard works of many cultures and periods. In addition, the group is committed to commissioning original works to advance the choral art and share the joy of music with its audiences. With first-rate musicianship, clarity of tone and innovative programming, The Princeton Singers (an independent organization not affiliated with Princeton University) have earned a reputation as one of the nation’s preeminent chamber choirs. Since 1983, The Princeton Singers have performed classical and international music of all cultures and periods to enthusiastic audiences throughout the region and the world. They have been featured on National Public Radio’s “Performance Today” and “With Heart and Voice” and have broadcast for the BBC, in addition to having recorded eight CDs.
The group offers a repertoire of sacred and secular music spanning a wide cross-section of the choral tradition, while maintaining an emphasis on unaccompanied singing. This style has become The Princeton Singers’ hallmark and stresses purity of sound and tuning in a rich vocal palette of color and tone, allowing the ensemble to adapt to a variety of musical styles. In addition to the English Cathedral choral tradition, the group maintains a commitment to contemporary composition which is reflected in the frequent programming of innovative works from many diverse cultures, as well as in the organization’s ongoing commissioning arrangement with its Artistic Director, Steven Sametz, whose compositions have won acclaim equal to his accomplishments on the podium.
In past seasons, The Princeton Singers have collaborated with Chanticleer, The American Boychoir, Westminster Choir College’s Schola Cantorum, the Princeton Symphony Orchestra and Lehigh University Choral Arts. Under the direction of founding conductor John Bertalot, The Singers completed several European tours - performing as Choir-in-Residence at St. Paul’s Cathedral and at Westminster Abbey. Most recently, The Singers were a featured Choir-in-Residence at the Oxford Summer Institutes at Lehigh University, and performed at the Eastern Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association, and the National Convention of the American Guild of Organists in Philadelphia.
Dr. Steven Sametz – Artistic Director
Under the direction of renowned composer and conductor, Steven Sametz, the Singers have garnered national attention and recorded several CDs. Dr. Sametz is Director of Choral Activities at Lehigh University and holds degrees from Yale University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the Hochschule fur Musik and darstellende Kunst in Frankfurt, Germany. Recent guest conducting appearances include the Taipei Philharmonic Foundation, the Berkshire Choral Festival, the New York Chamber Symphony, and the Netherlands Radio Choir. Dr. Sametz's compositions have been heard throughout the world at the Tanglewood, Ravinia, Schleswig-Holstein, Santa Fe and Salzburg music festivals, as well as on several CDs by Grammy-winning group, Chanticleer.