The Philadelphia Singers was founded by Michael Korn in 1972 and is now under the dynamic leadership of Music Director David Hayes. The Philadelphia Singers is a professional choral ensemble that engages and inspires a broad range of audiences in the Philadelphia region with compelling concert experiences featuring performances of choral masterpieces and contemporary works. The Singers has a special commitment to preserve and strengthen America's rich choral heritage through performances, commissions, and music education. The Philadelphia Singers also believes in the power of art to advance individuals and communities. It seeks to enrich the broader community through embodying the highest standards of classical musicianship and by providing a platform for its musicians to serve the community in a wide variety of forms. In the 2009/2010 Season, The Philadelphia Singers will present a four-concert season, provide educational enrichment opportunities for high school and college students and continue its prestigious role as Resident Chorus of The Philadelphia Orchestra. The season opens in November with Bach and Beyond, a quintessential Philadelphia Singers concert featuring Bach's Jesu Meine Freude and Alberto Ginastera's powerful Lamentations of Jeremiah. On December 12 and 19, The Singers' presents Philadelphia's holiday tradition, Christmas on Logan Square which includes Jennifer Higdon's ethereal O Magnum Mysterium. In March, we will join forces with new music ensembles Relache and Orchestra 2001 to present the world premiere of Persephone by Philip Glass, and the Philadelphia premieres of works by Steve Reich and Gavin Bryars. The season concludes in May with Rachmaninoff's glorious Vespers ( All-Night Vigil ).