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Middle Georgia’s Community Choir Since 1975

shot of Choral Society of Middle GA violinist performing shot of Choral Society of Middle GA performing

An Amateur Choir With a Professional Approach

Originally founded as the Macon Civic Chorale in 1975, Choral Society of Middle Georgia is a community organization of singer-musicians from all over Central Georgia.

With four major concerts each year, the choral society explores a diverse selection of musical styles while being dedicated to performing choral and orchestral works for our audiences. The Choral Society of Middle Georgia delights our communities throughout the year with a fall concert, spring concert, and an annual performance of the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah in December.

Meet Our Artistic Leadership

Dr. Gary Gerber

Artistic Director

Gary G. Gerber, conductor, serves as Dean of the Townsend School of Music at Mercer University. A native of Texas, Dr. Gerber holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. He received two degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Music degree in choral conducting in 1990, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting in 1993.

Gary Gerber headshot

A Word From the President

As a child, my plan for the future was to either become a choral director like my uncle or raise horses. Okay, no relation between the two, but in our youth, our dreams do not have boundaries. The latter fell by the wayside fairly quickly. I sang in a wonderful a cappella choir in high school with a topnotch director. But, while I loved singing, I left that future plan behind, too. For 31 years, I had a career that combined my passions for agriculture and education by serving as the coordinator and state contact for Georgia Agriculture in the Classroom. It was an exciting program where I developed materials for teachers and trained both teachers and our farmer volunteers to use. Along the way, I got my B.A. in Psychology and Masters in Adult Education. I traveled all over Georgia and the U.S., but I needed something else. I came from a family of singers, choral directors, and one trombone player (my dad, Ohio State Marching Band), and I needed to be back in that circle.

We had a great community chorus in Macon, but my leading excuse for not joining was common and easy: “I am too busy.” And the second one was, “I am too tired at the end of the day.” Then one day, I decided I needed choral music to balance my busy life and exercise another part of my brain. In 2008, with the prodding of two members of my church choir, I decided to make time for Choral Society of Middle Georgia and never looked back. It was life changing for me!

The Choral Impact Study, “Singing for a Lifetime” from Chorus America, states that there are more than 54 million people singing in choruses in the U.S. With that many people singing, there must be something to it! The benefits of group singing range from a better quality of life to finding a sense of community. I found a home with the CSMG and its partnership with Mercer University’s Townsend School of Music. Now, I was able to engage my passion for great choral music. Our members and the Mercer students who join us are from all walks of life, and, yet, music makes us one. From master works to music by amazing contemporary composers, we are challenged to learn and grow under the leadership of high caliber music professors at Mercer University. Since 2022, that artistic direction has been provided by the talented and outstanding Dean of the Townsend School of Music, Dr. Gary Gerber. It is energizing, challenging, and fun!

The best part is that, after many weeks and hours of rehearsals, we have the honor of sharing that music with our community. When we are standing with our music ready to sing in a concert, we see the other half of our singing community, the ones who come to sit back, relax, and enjoy the gift of a moving choral performance.

Our board of directors and Dr. Gerber provide leadership to CSMG, but our team also includes every member. I am honored to serve as President and learn from our work together. We have made significant changes to move CSMG forward to provide information in a dynamic context and encourage visitors to be a part of our choral singing community. Explore our photo gallery for past concerts to get a visual of who we are. Check us out. We have even bigger plans in 2025 to celebrate 50 years offering music to the middle Georgia!

If you are a singer, join us. If you love great music, add our concerts to your calendar. See you soon!

Donna Hellwig Rocker

President

Meet Our Board of Directors

Leadership for the Choral Society of Middle Georgia is provided by a board of directors. From the board of directors, officers include President, Vice President, Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The choral director also serves on the board.

2024-2025

Partners and Donors

Choral Society of Middle Georgia is proud to partner with organizations, institutions, and supporters throughout the region so that we may bring our choral performances to the public.

If you would like to become a partner, contact us at choralsocietymidga@gmail.com!

Partnerships and Collaborations

2023-24 Donors

  • Josephine Phelps Fabian Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia
  • Eileen Carlson
  • William and Susan Hill
  • Janice and Luis Morales Hill
  • Arlene Hellwig, in honor of her daughter Donna Rocker
  • Donna Hellwig Rocker
  • Mary Beth and John Sanders
  • Kristin Yarbrough