John Maclay has built the Choral Society into one of New York City's most admired choral arts organizations during his 24-year tenure as its Music Director. Reviewers have consistently noted his “carefully considered” programming and the “discipline and passion” of the chorus.  

While in graduate school, John was assistant conductor of the Harvard Glee Club, America’s oldest collegiate chorus. He accompanied and conducted choruses at Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges, where he co-founded the colleges’ musical theater troupe. He currently serves as Membership Chair for the New York Choral Consortium, and is General Counsel for Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank in the Americas.

To read John's program notes for some of the dozens of choral-orchestral masterworks he has prepared with the Choral Society, click on the titles below:

• J. S. Bach: Mass in B minor (program notes)

• J. S. Bach: Mass in B minor (detailed analysis)

• J.S. Bach: Magnificat in D

• Beethoven: Missa Solemnis

• Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem

• Joseph Haydn: Lord Nelson Mass

• Joseph Haydn: Mass in Time of War; The Creation (Part 1)

• Joseph Haydn: Heiligmesse

• Joseph Haydn: Harmoniemesse

• Mendelssohn: Elijah (program notes)

• Mendelssohn: Elijah (detailed analysis)

• W. A. Mozart: Missa Longa in C

• W. A. Mozart: Mass in C minor

• W. A. Mozart/Süssmayr: Requiem

• Rachmaninoff: All-Night Vigil

• Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony

• Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem and other works

• Verdi: Requiem

• 20th Anniversary Appreciation

Click here for a complete list of the Choral Society's repertoire.