Mixed Community Chorus

Based in Atlanta, GA

Founded in 1985 by William Baker as Gwinnett Festival Singers, known from 1998 to 2015 as William Baker Festival Singers Atlanta, and in recent years as New South Festival Singers, the Choral Foundation's oldest ensemble has a rich history of artistic accomplishment. The 40-voice chorale specializes in sacred, short-form acappella classics, music of present-day composers, and spirituals from across the globe, in addition to annual performances of choral/orchestral masterworks. In addition to numerous appearances on local television programs across the South and national radio programs such as Performance Today and The Sounds of Majesty, the choir has performed at regional conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the American Guild of Organists. The Festival Singers has been a favorite of Charleston's Piccolo Spoleto Festival, performing annually to capacity audiences since 1989. The Festival Singers has over a 40-year heritage of recordings available on CD nationwide and on iTunes, YouTube, Spotify, and other digital platforms under the name William Baker Festival Singers. Their newest recording, Legacies of Light, the first under the New South Festival Singers name, was released in December 2023. Following the retirement of Music Director Lynn Swanson, the Festival Singers is now led by Thomas Dixon, who began his tenure in the 2025-2026 season.

The Atlanta-based New South Festival Singers has performed a large body of choral/orchestral masterworks including the Requiems of Durufle, Faure, Mozart and Brahms, Bach's St. John Passion, Magnificat, Mass in B minor, and numerous chorale cantatas, Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb and Festival Te Deum, Kodaly's Laudes organi, Stravinsky's Mass and Symphony of Psalms, Mendelssohn's Elijah, and other masterworks from Tallis to Bernstein.

Founded - 1985.   Auditioned.

Audition Policy - https://www.festivalsingers.org/audition To Schedule an audition please call 913.488.7524 or e-mail: Mail@FestivalSingers.org to receive your Kansas City audition packet. AUDITION PROCESS FOR WILLIAM BAKER FESTIVAL SINGERS AND NEW SOUTH FESTIVAL SINGERS The audition for our select ensembles is a thorough evaluation of both voice and musical skill. The process begins with a telephone interview with the Music Staff, followed by an audition appointment. The New South Festival Singers is a professional-level volunteer chorale. Auditions are conducted in the spring, summer, and mid-season. Openings for voice parts are based on current personnel. For additional questions, please contact Music Director, Thomas Dixon at TDixon@FestivalSingers.org.

Rehearsal Information - Tuesday's 7:15-9:30 pm.

Contact New South Festival Singers