The ensemble formed in 1958 as the Bach and Madrigal Society. After years as an amateur ensemble, the group went fully professional (meaning all the singers are compensated) in 1990 and changed its name to the Phoenix Bach Choir under Swedish conductor Anders Öhrwall. From 1992 until 1998, their conductor was Jon Washburn and in 1999, Charles Bruffy took over as conductor and Artistic Director.
In August 2008, the name of the ensemble was changed from the Phoenix Bach Choir to the Phoenix Chorale, and shortly thereafter, the group released a SACD on Chandos Records titled Spotless Rose: Hymns to the Virgin Mary, which received nominations for two Grammy Awards: Best Classical Album and Best Small Ensemble Performance. At the Grammy pre-telecast awards ceremony on February 8, 2009, the Grammy for Best Small Ensemble Performance was awarded to the chorale and its conductor, Charles Bruffy.[3][4]
In October of 2017, Bruffy concluded his 18-year tenure with the group[8] and in May 2019, after a nearly two-year search, Christopher Gabbitas, a former member of The King's Singers, was announced as the next Artistic Director of the Chorale.[9] Under Gabbitas, the Phoenix Chorale now records on the Signum Records label.[10]
