THE SOMERSET HILLS CHORUS
Shared voices. Shared purpose. Shared humanity.
Join the Somerset Hills Chorus for this World Premiere Performance!
August 15, 2026
Dear Friend and Fellow Singer,
Shared Voices. Shared Purpose. Shared Humanity. That has always been the heart of what we do together in the Somerset Hills Chorus, and I'm writing today because I hope you'll join us again this fall as we bring it to life in a truly special way.
This December, we are preparing a work unlike anything we've done before: A Christmas Carol, by the Grammy-nominated composer Benedict Sheehan. Benedict has taken Dickens's beloved story and set it for narrator, orchestra, choir, and soloists, weaving the familiar carols we all know into wonderful new arrangements alongside the unfolding tale.
Music in the Somerset Hills has co-commissioned Benedict to create a chamber orchestra version of the piece, and the world premiere will be this December. It is a rare and exciting thing to help bring a brand new work into the world, and I can't imagine doing it without voices like yours in the room.
You'll be singing alongside a professional orchestra and soloists, in a piece that is both deeply familiar and entirely new, exactly the kind of shared musical experience that has always defined the Somerset Hills Chorus.
Here are the details:
Rehearsals begin Monday, October 12, and continue each Monday evening from 7:00 to 9:00pm at Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church. The concert takes place Sunday, December 20, at 5:00pm, at the Hauser Auditorium at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, NJ, with choir and orchestra rehearsals the previous two days.
To register, simply register at the above link. When you sign up, you’ll be given a link to a Google Drive folder containing the music and practice files.
If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly at stephen@musicsh.org. I always love hearing from our singers, especially those who have shared this journey with us before.
Thank you for being part of the story of this chorus. I hope you'll come and share your voice with us once again this fall. There's a place for you in this one.
With warm regards,
Stephen Sands
Artistic Director, Music in the Somerset Hills
Artistic Director, Stephen Sands
As the director of the Somerset Hills Chorus, I want to personally invite you to be part of something meaningful, joyful, and deeply human. Singing in a chorus is about more than just music—it’s about building community, sharing stories, and creating something beautiful together. Whether you’re an experienced singer or someone looking to reconnect with your musical side, you’ll find a welcoming and inspiring home with us.
At SHC, our mission is rooted in our tagline: Shared Voices. Shared Purpose. Shared Humanity. We believe that singing together fosters connection, understanding, and joy—and that choral music has the power to uplift not only those who sing it, but those who hear it. I hope you’ll consider joining us. Come share your voice, and let’s make something extraordinary together.
-Stephen Sands
Raise your voice!
Our chorus is open to anyone aged 14 and up, with or without experience, and no audition is necessary to participate. The Somerset Hills Chorus is part of Music in the Somerset Hills (MISH), a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide musical experiences of the highest quality to people who live and work in the Somerset Hills and the surrounding communities. Developed to help all music enthusiasts become better singers in a supportive yet challenging environment, every effort is made to ensure everyone is comfortable with the music.
For each performance cycle, we kindly ask that participants make a suggested donation to MISH of $200. This contribution to our 501(c)(3) organization helps offset the costs of section leaders, rehearsal accompanists, sheet music, space rentals, professional instrumentalists, and production. Chorus members are also expected to actively participate in promoting our concerts to family, friends, and organizations in the area. Students between the ages of 14–22 may participate for no donation but are encouraged to offer tickets to family and friends whenever possible.
About our Chorus
The Somerset Hills Chorus (SHC) is a community of passionate singers united by a belief in the power of music to connect, uplift, and inspire. As part of Music in the Somerset Hills, we bring together people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels who share a love for choral singing and a commitment to building community through meaningful musical experiences. Open to anyone aged 14 and up, with or without experience, our model enables avocational singers to perform extraordinary repertoire alongside professionals.
Rooted in the heart of northern New Jersey, SHC performs a wide range of repertoire—from masterworks and contemporary compositions to beloved holiday traditions and innovative collaborations. We perform in historic and modern venues alike, and our performances are known for their warmth, energy, and artistic excellence.
Under the direction of Stephen Sands, SHC continues to grow as a musical home for both seasoned singers and those returning to music after time away. Rehearsals are welcoming and engaging, offering singers not only a chance to hone their craft, but also to form lasting friendships and contribute to a greater shared purpose.
Silver Screen: A Cinematic Choral Celebration - June 21, 2025 at The Pingry School's Hauser Auditorium
Duruflé Requiem - March 9, 2025, at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown, NJ
An Elizabethan Christmas - December 7, 2024, at S.W. Bowne Hall of Drew University.
Annelies - June 10, 2023, at the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church in Plainfield, NJ.
Annelies - June 11, 2023, at The Presbyterian Church in Morristown, NJ.
The Somerset Hills Chorus, Westminster Community Choir, & The LOTUS Project performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the NJ Capital Philharmonic Orchestra, October 2022.