The North Carolina Master Chorale is the Resident Chorus of the North Carolina Symphony. Their most recent concerts with the Symphony featured Mozart’s Requiem, conducted by Carlos Miguel Prieto in February of this year.

As one of the major choral organizations in the Southeast, the North Carolina Master Chorale has been performing for 80 years. The Master Chorale includes a 180-voice Symphonic Choir, a smaller professional Chamber Choir, and a 50-voice Youth Choir. Singers in both the Symphonic and Chamber Choirs, many of whom are professional singers, conductors, and music educators, are selected by audition. The Youth Choir provides a professional environment for high school musicians to prepare and perform choral music.

Founded in 1942 as the Raleigh Oratorio Society, the Master Chorale has evolved into a major regional performing arts group. Hailed by critics as Raleigh’s premier choral ensemble, the North Carolina Master Chorale primarily performs choral masterworks with orchestra, with the chamber choir performing diverse repertoire from Renaissance to contemporary music. In addition to performances as the Resident Chorus of the North Carolina Symphony, the Chorale regularly collaborates with symphony orchestras, opera and ballet companies, and touring productions. The organization has been previously awarded a Raleigh Medal of Arts in recognition of its rich heritage and numerous artistic contributions to the community.

Music Director Dr. Alfred Sturgis is a highly experienced and sought-after conductor celebrating 30 years of directing the Chorale. In addition to his work with the Master Chorale, he is also the Music Director of the Carolina Ballet and the Tar River Orchestra. In September 2023, Dr. Sturgis was awarded the Order of the Longleaf Pine.

The Master Chorale produces a six-concert season in addition to their performances with the North Carolina Symphony and Carolina Ballet.