Are you interested in singing in a choir at the highest level with Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra? Do you want to sing the major works for choir and orchestra of the world’s leading conductors and soloists? Do you want to develop your singing vocally and musically?
Read more about the choir at: koren.se
A non-profit organization
Gothenburg Symphony Choir is a non-profit organization that is tied to the Gothenburg Concert House and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. The choir participates in concerts and performances in the Concert Hall as well as occasionally performing outside the house in its own capacity. Their repertoire is therefore both extensive and varied.
The choir rehearses every Tuesday evening under the guidance of chorus director Katie Thomas and accompanist Juan Zurutuza, pianist in the Gothenburg Symphony. During concert weeks, the choir works in the evenings with the conductor and orchestra, usually giving two concert performances in culmination.
Throughout the season, all members receive bespoke one-to-one vocal technique sessions with in-house voice coaches and members of GSVE, Mia Strand and Simon Bergvide. Alongside Katie Thomas (who is also the Vocal Coach of the BBC Symphony Chorus in London), they form a unique vocal team sharing a unified strategy and responsibility to develop every individual in the choir, and the choir as a whole. Good vocal health and authentic, efficient, tension-free singing is placed at the heart of the choir’s approach.
The choir has performed in venues abroad including the Royal Albert Hall and Canterbury Cathedral in England, in the Canary Islands, and in China on tour with the GSO.
To the choirs website
National Day Concert 2026
Enjoy a summer afternoon in the lush surroundings of Slottsskogen with Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Gothenburg Symphony Choir and conductor Tobias Ringborg. Host is author Lydia Sandgren. This much-loved tradition brings together tens of thousands for an afternoon of relaxation, community and sing-along.
Ein deutsches Requiem
Brahms’s magnificent choral work reminds us of what Christmas may be most deeply about: hope, humanity and togetherness. Featuring the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, soprano Christina Nilsson, baritone Christoph Pohl and conductor Marie Jacquot.
To the Light with Mendelssohn and Fauré
Barbara Hannigan gathers the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, choir and soloists in a concert that ushers towards lighter times. Hear Mendelssohn’s peaceful journey across the sea, and Fauré’s beloved Requiem.
Chaplin Songs
Hear soprano Camilla Tilling in Daniel Nelson’s award-winning Chaplin Songs, a musical take on the political satire The Great Dictator. The Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and conductor Andrew Manze also present Alfvén’s Symphony No. 3.
How it started
The Gothenburg Symphony Choir was founded in 1917 by cousins Elsa and Wilhelm Stenhammar. Elsa Stenhammar was one of the driving forces of the turn of the century choral life in Gothenburg, and became the choir’s first leader.
Wilhelm Stenhammar had created a position in the Gothenburg music scene through his work with the orchestra for a number of years. On December 8, 1917 the chorus debuted in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy. It was Wilhelm Stenhammar who took on the solo part at the piano.
They sing in the choir
The youngest members are around 20, while the oldest has passed retirement age. Some choir members have extensive musical training, while others have merely private singing lessons for extended periods.
One thing, however, all choir members have in common: a massive experience of choir singing. Many have started in church choirs, student and university choirs and other vocal contexts to eventually join a large symphonic choir. In addition, all has passed the mandatory audition estimates that recur every three years.
Katie Thomas
Choir Director
