Members of the community gathered together for the common and joyful enterprise of making music, to sing through for their own pleasure the great works in choral literature, with chorus, orchestra, and soloists as the works require. The meetings are informal readings in which any musically interested person may participate. There are no preliminary rehearsals, except for a one hour chorus rehearsal for the Gilbert and Sullivan, and no auditions are required to sing in the chorus.

The above listing shows the seven tentative programs planned for the 2012-2013 season (78th year) of the Princeton Society of Musical Amateurs. These sessions are not in any sense performances; they are informal readings in which everyone present may participate. An orchestra is assembled and soloists arranged for as each work requires. The sessions are always conducted by professional conductors.

Please consider joining for the year, either as a regular member or a patron member. A year's membership offers benefits that are not available to those who participate on a single-session basis. In addition to the cost savings, members receive notices of each meeting, and they may also borrow vocal scores during the week preceding any session. Membership dues also help the organization to cover continuing operating expenses such as rental charges for the use of the building, purchase and rental of music, and refreshments.

Dues are $45 for one person, or $65 for a couple. (The amount of patron's dues over the regular dues is tax deductible, as are all contributions to PSMA.) The society also welcomes contributions to the J. Merrill Knapp Memorial Endowment Fund. Instrumentalists and soloists are welcome to join, but they will play in the orchestra or appear as soloists by invitation only, according to the requirements of the work.

Prospective members and participating guests are welcome at single sessions for an admission charge of $10.00 per session. There is no charge for students or for guests who come only to listen, but a donation is requested if they take refreshments.

For a list of other musical organizations in the area that welcome amateur members to participate, see our list of related groups.

Musical Amateurs is run by a Board of Trustees and Management Committee. Further questions about the Society may be addressed to Marilee Thompson, President at (609) 466-4479 or email to carolynh@princeton.edu (Carolyn Hoeschele).
Last updated 07/18/2012

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