THE SOMERSET HILLS CHORUS
Shared voices. Shared purpose. Shared humanity.
Join us at A Christmas Carol!
Our chorus will be performing A Christmas Carol, which arrives as a newly co-commissioned musical story by Rowan Benedict Sheehan, created for The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and Music in the Somerset Hills.
Narrator, soloists, chorus, and chamber orchestra carry Dickens's beloved tale in one continuous sweep, weaving carols such as God rest you merry, gentlemen, the Sussex Carol, and It came upon the midnight clear directly into the prose.
The music traces Scrooge's transformation from shadowed solitude to renewed life at the Cratchit family table, inviting us to consider how shared song can change hearts and draw neighbors closer.
Come join us!
If you are interested in joining us for a future session, scroll to the bottom of this webpage and sign up for our newsletter so you receive notification when sign ups open.
Artistic Director, 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.