About Cambridge Chamber Singers

Cambridge Chamber Singers (CCS, formerly known as Cambridge Madrigal Singers), now in its 27th season, offers exciting and eclectic concert programs to connect audiences in Greater Boston with the best in choral music, from traditional masters to talented new composers.

The group's name was changed from Cambridge Madrigal Singers to Cambridge Chamber Singers at the end of 2007, to better reflect the music that the group performs.

Under Musical Director Raymond E. Fahrner, CCS seeks out innovative programming and creative collaborations. The music performed is carefully selected from the last 1000 years of choral masterworks, from medieval to modern, sacred and secular, with special emphasis on Renaissance and twentieth century music.

The ensemble, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has performed throughout the Boston area, including the Boston Athenaeum, the Gardner Museum, and Jordan Hall. CCS has been featured on area radio broadcasts, including WCRB's New England Concert Hall and live on WGBH's Morning Pro Musica with Robert J. Lurtsema. In October 1994, CCS performed for the first time outside of the United States on a concert tour of Germany and Switzerland.

Part of the mission of CCS is the cultivation and performance of contemporary choral music. In 1997 CCS instituted the international Cambridge Chamber Singers Composition Competition. CCS premieres the winning composition each Spring.

Cambridge Chamber Singers is a regular recipient of grant support from many arts foundations, most recently the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Alfred Nash Patterson Foundation.

The ensemble often sings at benefits and other special events in the Boston area. If you are interested in scheduling a performance, call 617-504-8155.


About Dr. Raymond Fahrner

Conductor and composer Raymond E. Fahrner became the group's music director in the fall of 1988. Originally from Philadelphia, he received his doctorate in composition from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music, studying composition with Scott Huston and conducting with Gerhard Samuel. He continued his conducting studies with Robert Page and Katalin Kiss. Dr. Fahrner has received numerous commissions and awards, including a National Endowment for the Arts composer's fellowship and residencies at the MacDowell Colony.

For updates, additions, or removal of your information on our paper mailing list, please email:

Please Write to:
Cambridge Chamber Singers, Inc.
P.O. Box 600527
Newtonville, MA 02460


For general questions regarding the group, feedback about the website, or questions regarding auditions, please email:

To contact us via phone for general questions about the group, to schedule a performance, or ask questions about the Composition Competition, call: 617.521.2075