About Us

Charles Bruffy 2008-09 Singers

The critically acclaimed Phoenix Chorale (formerly known as the Phoenix Bach Choir), is the first North American choir to record for Chandos Records.  Founded in 1958 by Drs. Hal and Timona Pittman, the Phoenix Chorale originally focused on music of the Renaissance and baroque periods, but today is equally dedicated to the creation and performance of new music, which it intermingles with more traditional concert literature. 

The Phoenix Chorale made its first appearance on Chandos with “Shakespeare in Song” in 2004.  In 2006, the Chorale released its first joint recording with its sister choir, the Kansas City Chorale, entitled “Eternal Rest,” featuring the two choirs performing the music of Frank Martin, Jaakko Mäntyjärvi, René Clausen and Frank Ticheli.  In 2007, the two choirs released a second album, featuring Alexander Grechaninov’s “Passion Week,” which was nominated for four Grammys® including “Best Classical Album,” “Best Choral Performance,” and won a Grammy® for “Best Engineered Album, Classical.”  “Rheinberger: Sacred Choral Works” was released worldwide late 2007 and their most recent solo recording "Spotless Rose: Hymns to the Virgin Mary" was released on September 30, 2008.

Audiences around the globe have been treated to the sounds of the Phoenix Chorale nationally and internationally through broadcasts including Public Radio International's “Performance Today.” 

The Phoenix Chorale celebrates its 50th Anniversary Season in 2008-09 with performances in Phoenix, AZ and Kansas City, MO.  The Phoenix Chorale and the Kansas City Chorale will embark on their first tour of the Northeast appearing on the Troy Chromatic Series in Troy, NY and on their New York City debut at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in March 2009.

Charles Bruffy, Artistic Director

One of the most admired choral conductors in the United States, Charles Bruffy began his career as a tenor soloist, performing with the Robert Shaw Festival Singers in recordings and concerts in France, and in concerts at Carnegie Hall.  Shaw encouraged his development as a conductor and in 1996 Bruffy was asked by National Public Radio to help celebrate Shaw’s eightieth birthday with an on-air tribute.  In 1999, The New York Times named Bruffy as the late, great conductor’s potential heir, and in 2005 Fanfare magazine called him ‘one of the next big things in American choral music.’  He has been Artistic Director of the Kansas City Chorale since 1988 and of the Phoenix Chorale since 1999. 

Respected and renowned for his fresh and passionate interpretations of standards of the choral music repertoire and for championing new music, he has commissioned and premiered works by American composers including Jean Belmont, Matthew Harris, Libby Larsen, Zhou Long, Stephen Paulus, Stephen Sametz, Steven Stucky, Eric Whitacre and Chen Yi.  Under his supervision the Roger Dean Company, a division of the Lorenz Corporation publishes a choral series specializing in music for professional ensembles and sophisticated high school and college choirs. 

Charles Bruffy conducts workshops and clinics across the U.S., serves on the Advisory Board of the Atlanta Young Singers of Callanwolde, and served on the Chorus America Board for over seven years.  He has signed on as Artistic Director of the Kansas City Symphony Chorus starting with the 2008-09 Season.

Increasingly busy on the international scene, he recently conducted performances of Verdi’s Requiem at the Sydney Opera House in Australia.  Charles Bruffy’s eclectic discopgraphy includes the Chandos recordings “Shakespeare in Song,” “Eternal Rest,” “Grechaninov: Passion Week,” “Rheinberger: Sacred Choral Works" and "Spotless Rose: Hymns to the Virgin Mary."

2008-09 SINGERS