Founded in 1872 in the wake of the Great Chicago Fire to help “raise the spirits of the city,” the Apollo Chorus of Chicago is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected choral organizations. With over 100 dedicated volunteer singers, Apollo has spent more than 150 years combining artistic excellence with a strong commitment to community engagement and has played a vital role in Chicago’s cultural life.

Each season, Apollo presents impressive choral masterworks while also embracing new and contemporary voices. Recent highlights include performances at Ravinia Festival, performances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Midwest premiere of Damien Geter’s An African-American Requiem with the Chicago Philharmonic. The Chorus has performed with renowned popular artists including Josh Groban and Louis the Child, and recorded a track for the Netflix show Sense8.  Apollo also honors cherished traditions, delighting Chicago audiences for over 140 years with its beloved annual performances of Handel’s Messiah.

Apollo is dedicated to broadening access to choral music and advancing the highest standards of choral performance in the city of Chicago and beyond. This mission is realized through free community concerts and educational programming, hiring local artists, performing new works by contemporary composers, and frequently collaborating with community orchestras and ensembles. Each season, Apollo presents concerts in neighborhoods and suburbs throughout Chicagoland, ensuring meaningful connections with communities across the region. These activities are made possible through the generous support of our donors. With a proud legacy and a forward-looking vision, the Apollo Chorus of Chicago continues to connect, inspire, and uplift audiences through music of artistry, relevance, and passion.