The present Quincy Choral Society was founded in the summer of 1981 by a small group of people, organized by Andy and Nancy Nelson, who wanted to revive a community chorus for the South Shore area. In response to many letters sent to area churches and schools, as well as by word of mouth and radio announcements, we held our first rehearsals in September of 1981 with Robert Brown as conductor and Carla Errichiello as accompanist.

Our current music director/conductor is John Nichols, who has led the QCS since 1988. Our current accompanist is Gingy Grimes, who has been with the QCS for over 15 years. With the direction of John and the support of Gingy, the members of our "chorus" consider ourselves a group of dedicated non-professional musicians, who strive to create quality music in a warm and friendly atmosphere. It is a social as well as musical endeavor for us all. We consider ourselves to be a "musical family", as stated in what has evolved as our signature song, "Uma Familia" (One Big Family-One People).

We continue to evolve and grow as we take on more challenging choral works. Some of our large musical repertoire includes: Bach Mass in B minor, Beethoven Missa Solemnis, Brahms A German Requiem, Dvorak Te Deum, Handel Messiah and Coronation Anthems, Haydn The Creation, Mendelssohn Elijah, Mozart Requiem and Coronation Mass, Schubert Mass in A flat and Vivaldi Gloria.

Quincy Choral Society has also performed major works by contemporary composers Britten, Bush and Rutter, to name a few, as well as spirituals and show tunes. The list goes on.

We continue our musical journey each year, featuring seasonal music in our Dec. concert, show tunes and cabaret for our March silent auction and our classically based program in May. We have also sung in special performances at the Church of the Presidents, The Neighborhood Club, and even a few weddings.

We have taken our music on the road as well. A smaller touring group, led by John Nichols and accompanied by Gingy Grimes, has gone to Europe six times. Concerts have been performed in places like England, France, Wales, Scotland, Austria, Prague, Italy, Finland, Sweden and St Petersburg, Russia. Overseas tours take place every other summer.