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ACS Historical Notes

Arkansas Chamber Singers was organized by Barbara Abramoff Levy in 1979 when then Gov. Bill Clinton brought her husband to Arkansas to serve on his staff and she wanted to get involved in something musical, in keeping with her background. During her first season, in April 1980, a fundraiser (Montage) was held at the Governor’s Mansion.

In April 1981, a program - Musical Frolic – was held at the Arkansas Territorial Restoration, with the singers in period costume. That same year, in May, Chamber Singers put on a concert as part of Riverfest.

The May 1983 concert – America Sings! – was performed at the Old State House.

In December 1983 and December 1984, Chamber Singers sang with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in Amahl & The Night Visitors.

And, in January 1984 and February 1985, Chamber Singers sang with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in performances of the Verdi Requiem (1984) and the Bach Magnificat (1985)

In December 1992, Chamber Singers performed at the Inauguration of Gov. Jim Guy Tucker and in January 1993 in Washington at the Presidential Inaugural Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel for President-Elect Bill Clinton.

In June 1987, gave guest performance at the American Guild of Organists Convention held in Little Rock. Also in 1987, Chamber Singers formed the chorus at Wildwood in their two presentations of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

For 20th Anniversary, in March 1999, performed a commissioned work – The Golden Harp – by Gwyneth Walker.

March 2004 – performed as the chorus with Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of Music Man in their Pop Series.

In December of 2004, the Chamber Singers participated with the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Vesper Choir and the University of Central Arkansas Choirs in "A Holiday Music Gala", a recorded concert presentation by Arkansas Educational Television Network at Reynolds Performance Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus.