Our History
The Central Texas Choral Society was reorganized in 2012 as an auditioned community chorus in the Central Texas area. CTCS evolved out of the Waco Civic Chorus, which was active from the late 1970’s until 2003. Former Baylor School of Music Professor Robert Young was the founding director of the chorus. Dr. Young and the original members of the chorus saw the need to have a community choral ensemble and laid the groundwork for what today is CTCS. Dr. Donald Balmos, then Director of the Department of Fine Arts at McLennan Community College, took over the responsibilities of leadership and musical direction in the mid 80’s. During his tenure, the chorus performed many of the standard works for chorus and orchestra. Current director, Dr. David Guess, sang with the chorus in the 1990’s and took over the baton as president and musical director in 2012.
Who we are
CTCS members come from communities throughout Central Texas and consists of over 160 singers from all walks of life – stay-at-home moms; business leaders and community activists; faculty from all levels of education; even high school singers who want to have a different musical experience. Not all members sing every concert, as they try to match the number of singers needed to the requirements of the work being performed. It is also understood that life often interrupts the opportunity to be involved in CTCS on an active basis and, though the core of singers remains fairly constant, singers often join when their schedules allow. One of the unique aspects of the chorus is the participation of family units – husbands and wives; dads and sons; moms and daughters; even entire families often join together to have the wonderful cultural experience of singing great works of art.
Our Vision And Our Accomplishments
The ensemble presents 2 to 3 concerts each season and is committed to the performance of important compositional milestones in the choral art. Recent performances include a collaborative performance of Mozart’s Requiem with the Midway High School Chamber Singers; Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living; Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms; Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore; Orff’s Carmina Burana; Rutter’s Gloria; Daniel Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata; Randol Alan Bass’ Gloria; Brahms’ German Requeim; Franz Liszt’s 2-piano transcription of the finale from Beethoven’s Symphony #9; and 14 sold-out performances of Les Miserables with the Waco Civic Theater. The ensemble also performs in smaller groups at local cultural activities throughout Central Texas, including Christmas at Baylor, the Junior League Christmas Bazaar, Waco’s Christmas Tree lighting; and the Cultural Arts Festival