Founded in 1948, the Santa Barbara Choral Society began as a group of 64 singers with a passion for bringing quality musicianship to the Santa Barbara area. Very soon after its inception, the Choral Society began its ongoing collaboration with the Santa Barbara Symphony.

During the 1960’s, the Choral Society gained new popularity not only in membership, but in accolades. In 1968, the Choral Society was named one of 59 choral groups in the nation to win funding from the National Endowment of the Arts.

In 1983 the Choral Society began to operate as a non-profit with the goal of offering four major concerts per year and actively participating in several collaborative ventures with other arts organizations.

In 1993, under the leadership of the Choral Society’s first female Music Director, JoAnne Wasserman, new professionalism was brought to the organization with the addition of paid section leaders as well as member auditions. In addition the Choral Society began to assist other musical organizations and schools through special outreach programs and cooperative events.

Most recently, in May 2008, the Choral Society’s move to the newly renovated Granada Theatre as a resident Company has provided an excellent backdrop for the high standards of excellence that they continue to produce season after season.