History of the Oxford Civic Chorus

By Jo Ann B. Miller / Updated by Linda Sperath

The first rehearsal/meeting of the Oxford Civic Chorus was Monday evening, August 24, 1998 in the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church. The chorus was made up of approximately 40 volunteer community members who had a desire to participate in choral singing. The original organizers were Gabriel C. Statom, a senior music major at the University of Mississippi, and Dr. Martha Hitch of the university’s Music Department faculty. Hitch and Statom were the chorus’ founding Artistic Directors.

The focus of the first year’s concerts was on performing large choral works with orchestra or instrumental ensembles, taking advantage of a then-existing state and regional funding program designed to bring quality classical music to new and wider audiences. The first concert was on November 15, 1998, at which time “Gloria” by Antonio Vivaldi and “Gloria” by John Rutter were presented, accompanied by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the University of Mississippi Brass Ensemble.

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Recent History of Performances

December 12, 2009 ~ Sing We Now of Christmas
May 2, 2010 ~ How Can I Keep From Singing