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EnglishWhat Kind of Music Does the Arundel Vocal Arts Society Perform?
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The Arundel Vocal Arts Society (AVAS) performs a deliberately wide range of choral music rather than specializing in one style. According to the organization, its programming includes contemporary choral works, classical masterworks, operetta, pops, folk music, lighter favorites, and Broadway. That breadth is central to how AVAS describes itself: a community-based, nonprofit mixed-voice chorus founded in 1983 that exists for the benefit, education, and enjoyment of its members and surrounding communities.
The repertoire in practice
AVAS frames its variety as a point of pride, not an accident. The categories it lists span roughly four centuries of choral tradition and several distinct performance contexts:
| Category | What it typically means for a chorus |
|---|---|
| Contemporary choral works | Music by living or recent composers, often in modern harmonic language |
| Classical masterworks | Large-scale canonical works from the Baroque through Romantic eras |
| Operetta and Broadway | Staged or semi-staged repertoire with theatrical roots |
| Pops and lighter favorites | Familiar, accessible arrangements |
| Folk music | Traditional and arranged folk material |
Because the chorus presents an annual series of two concerts, the mix above is spread across a limited number of performances rather than one style per event. If you are deciding whether to attend, the practical implication is that a single concert may not represent the full range—checking the specific program for a given date tells you more than the general description does.
How the mission shapes the programming
AVAS states its mission as creating and performing "diverse high-quality programs that contribute a unique artistic presence and message." It expands that mission by seeking to collaborate frequently with other local groups, with the stated goals of attracting a wider audience and offering a more varied, higher-level program. Collaboration is therefore not incidental—it is written into how the chorus plans its seasons, and it is one reason the repertoire can shift from classical to pops without the group changing its identity.
The vision behind the variety
The chorus describes its vision as becoming Anne Arundel County's premier vocal chamber ensemble, cultivating and inspiring excellent choral ability and creative expression in its singers, and enriching audiences "through the message, beauty and joy of music." It also expresses a belief that live vocal music can create deeper understanding and meaning through the human voice, summarized in its motto: "All Voices Are Significant."
That motto connects directly to the repertoire question. A group that treats all voices as significant has a reason to program broadly—contemporary works alongside masterworks, folk alongside Broadway—rather than narrowing to a single signature sound.
What this means if you want to listen or sing
- To hear the music: The chorus maintains a Concerts page with information on upcoming and past concerts, and a separate ticket purchase page for its 2026–2027 concert season. Specific repertoire is best confirmed there, since the general description covers the chorus's range rather than any single program.
- To sing with AVAS: Membership is open to adults, and the chorus states its intent that membership reflect the cultural diversity of the communities it serves. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 461 College Pkwy, Arnold, MD 21012. The About Us page covers membership details.
- To stay informed: AVAS runs an email newsletter every other month with upcoming performance dates and ticket information, program highlights, features on its musicians, and occasional special announcements. You can view the newsletter or join the mailing list through the website.
The short answer: expect a mixed-voice chorus that moves between classical masterworks, contemporary choral music, operetta, pops, folk, and Broadway—and confirm the specific program for the concert you plan to attend.