More About Spectrum

The Spectrum Singers was formed in 1980 by John W. Ehrlich with the goal of seeking out and performing worthy, important music that is rarely heard. He chose the name to reflect this mission to draw from the whole spectrum of masterworks from the Renaissance to the present day.

During John Ehrlich’s tenure, The Spectrum Singers were invited to collaborate with several musical organizations. It served as the chorus for four of Emmanuel Music’s acclaimed operatic productions: Alfonso und Estrella (2003), Genoveva (2005), The Magic Flute (2006) with Craig Smith, and The Rake’s Progress (2011) with Ryan Turner. The chorus also joined in collaborations with Cantata Singers, Boston Landmarks Orchestra, and Indian Hill Symphony.

Committed to contemporary music, The Spectrum Singers, as part of its 30th anniversary season, sponsored a composition contest for young composers and presented the world premiere of Novum Decus Oritur by winner Joshua Hummel. In 2015 it co-commissioned and offered the New England premiere of Different Ways to Pray by Mohammed Fairouz.

Over the years, the chorus has been invited to perform in concert series in Hingham, Gloucester, Charlestown, Auburn, and Newburyport. In its own subscription series in Cambridge and Boston, The Spectrum Singers have performed a broad exploration of requiems, from the familiar (Brahms, Mozart, Fauré, and Duruflé) to the lesser known (Alfred Désenclos, and John Rutter) and a multi-season exploration of the late Haydn masses.

The 2019-2020 concert season was to be Spectrum’s 40th, including a gala 40th anniversary concert to include alumnae/i singers and favorite selections from all forty years of Spectrum’s history. That concert was postponed due to pandemic restrictions, but during this hiatus from in-person concertizing, the chorus’ 41st season was highlighted by several virtual presentations.

In the 2023-24 season, the chorus honored John Ehrlich in his final season as Music Director with concerts of his favorite Christmas seasonal selections, a reprise of favorites from the chorus’s 44-year history, and a gala farewell concert featuring Vaughan William’s Serenade to Music.

In its 2025-2026 season, The Spectrum Singers welcomes new Music Director Max Holman who will continue to present relevant, wide-ranging, and captivating musical offerings and collaborations with exceptional local and international artists, musicians, and performers.