Press Quotes

"The Philadelphia Singers organization is one of the musical treasures of Philadelphia."
- Maestro Wolfgang Sawallisch

"The Singers’ presentations of masterpieces from the choral literature are distinguished by great style, musicianship and artistic integrity. David Hayes and his Singers Chorale have proven to be respected and valued collaborators with The Philadelphia Orchestra on many important occasions. I had the particular pleasure to conduct the Singers Chorale in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony during my first week as Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director, and have greatly enjoyed the many times we have worked together since then."
- Maestro Wolfgang Sawallisch

"Smashing, absolutely smashing."
- Sir Andrew Davis

30 Years of Praise

"Immaculate musicianship … all the performances approached perfection."
– High Fidelity

"The 32-voice chorus must be near its top form. Singing in three languages, it delivered clear texts to match its intonation and balances. Hayes was able to exploit extreme dynamics when needed without loss of color or resonance in readings that sustained mood and atmosphere."
– Philadelphia Inquirer

"Intonation was pure, chords were voiced and balanced expertly, and no strain was felt … excellent performances."
– The New York Times

"Undiluted rapture arrives, stays and is riveting."
– The Philadelphia Inquirer

"They really can sing just about anything!"
– The Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Philadelphia Singers holds the position in the world of professional choruses as The Philadelphia Orchestra holds on the orchestral landscape."
– The Philadelphia Inquirer

"Hayes’ 16 soloists in [Vaughan Williams’] Serenade [to Music] reminded listeners of the resounding depth of the English choral tradition. This music glows. The accuracy of [The Singers] intonation added to the music’s ruddiness."
- Philadelphia Inquirer

2001-2002 Season

"The Musical Flourishes [in the opening night performance of Verdi’s Requiem with The Philadelphia Orchestra] couldn’t have been grander, especially as executed by the marvelously prepared, bright-timbred Philadelphia Singers Chorale (with much credit due music director, David Hayes)."
– The Philadelphia Inquirer

"The strongest vocal element in the performance [of Verdi’s Requiem with The Philadelphia Orchestra] turned out to be the Philadelphia Singers Chorale. The chorus impressed with its firmly blended singing, with its care for voicing the words and shading the dynamics."
– The Courier Post

"[In Ravel’s Suite No. 2 from Daphnis et Chloé at The Kimmel Center Inaugural Gala] The Philadelphia Singers’ wordless chorus was overwhelming."
- The Philadelphia Inquirer

"The room [The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts], the orchestra [The Philadelphia Orchestra and the exemplary Philadelphia Singers Chorale were up the the task."
- San Jose Mercury News

2000-2001 Season

"[The Philadelphia Singers performance] offered the kind of textural variety that is imperative in so long and serious a score as the Mass in B minor."
– Chestnut Hill Local

"[David Hayes’ interpretation of Bach’s Mass in b minor] rang true and effectively maintained the long arch of the music. There was a fine sense of understanding what this music was all about and Hayes most assuredly was in control of his musicians."
– Chestnut Hill Local

"Undiluted rapture arrives, stays and is riveting"
- The Philadelphia Inquirer

"For lovers of the big, lush choral sound [Christmas on Logan Square] is a major treat."
- Philadelphia City Paper

1999-2000 Season

"[The Philadelphia Singers] explored a dynamic range…colored and shaded phrases in a way that heightened the dramatic message, and moved close to explaining why [Handel’s Messiah] endures….[T]he work and the performers came together in ways that only sometimes happen during any performing group’s life"
- Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Singers performed both works [Carmina Burana and Les Noces] with soaring confident vigor."
- Philadelphia City Paper

"The Singers were lusty, yet fully focused in their rendition of Carmina, with especially well-characterized solo singing."
- Philadelphia City Paper

"In both the Stravinsky and the Orff, Hayes displayed a keen grasp of pacing, with beautifully gauged tempo variations."
- Philadelphia City Paper

"[T]he music making took flight and communicated the spirit behind the notes. The singing…was focused in tone and sharp in rhythms, crisp in diction and varied in balances, compelling in emotion and uplifting in spirit."
- Chestnut Hill Local

The Singers…expertly negotiated the works hard-to-hear pitches."
- Philadelphia Inquirer