The City College Music Department relaunches the historic CCNY Chorus

The relaunch of the CCNY Chorus this spring marks a return to a long and meaningful musical tradition at the City College of New York, rooted in classical training, student musicianship, and public education.

The CCNY Chorus has long been a cornerstone of musical life at the City College, with roots stretching back to the late 1960s. For many years, the ensemble was led by Fritz Jahoda, a former opera conductor in Vienna and across Europe, who conducted both the Chorus and the City College Orchestra. Under his leadership, the Chorus built a strong classical foundation, performing works by composers such as Haydn, Schubert, Handel, and Brahms. After Jahoda’s retirement, the Chorus continued under several faculty conductors, maintaining its role as a central part of CCNY’s music culture, even as the orchestra eventually dissolved and the Chorus carried on independently.

A major revitalization came when David Bushler brought in John Motley, who came out of retirement after a distinguished career with the New York City Board of Education and All-City Chorus. Motley broadened the Chorus’s repertoire, deepened student engagement, and expanded its reach by founding a Community Chorus open to both CCNY students and local residents. Through combined performances and strong neighborhood partnerships, the Chorus once again became a vibrant musical and community presence on campus.

The Spring 2026 relaunch builds directly on this legacy—reviving not just a choir, but a living tradition of music, mentorship, and community at City College.

Open to all CCNY students, the relaunched Chorus requires no audition and welcomes singers of all experience levels who simply love to sing. Under the direction of Tyler Bassett, the new ensemble will explore a wide-ranging repertoire while building toward a culminating concert in May. The course (MUS 16002), meeting Tuesday evenings from 5:00–7:30 pm, marks an accessible and celebratory return of choral music to campus and invites students from across disciplines to take part in a shared musical experience.