The Jackson Michigan Chorale

The roots of the Chorale go back more than 100 years. A newspaper article from 1911 mentions the fine singing of the Jackson Choral Society upon the occasion of a visit from President Taft. Many groups formed and dissolved over the years, but the present Chorale made its official debut in 1955 in an appearance with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. The Symphony, in its fourth season at that time, was under the direction of Pedro Paz. An outgrowth of a group formed for the 1954 Freedom Festival, the Chorale was organized by George V. Cripps, vocal music director at Jackson High School. The Chorale was reorganized the following year under the guidance of Jackson Junior College, now Jackson College. Mac William Disbrow was selected to direct the group. Many excellent conductors have led the group in the years since 1955, among them being Steven Jones, James Holleman and Thomas Sheets.