The “Peace on Earth” program features classical works and carols at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle on December 14
A Holiday Tradition of Classical Choral Music
The Schiller Institute NYC Chorus will present its annual Christmas concert, titled “Peace on Earth,” on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at the historic Church of St. Paul the Apostle on the Upper West Side. The performance is a staple of the city’s cultural holiday calendar, known for its rigorous programming of classical masterworks alongside traditional carols, performed with the chorus’s signature focus on the humanist ideals of harmony and beauty.
Program Highlights and Artistic Vision
This year’s program is built around the theme of peace, featuring selections from J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, portions of Handel’s Messiah, and rarely performed Renaissance polyphony. The concert will also include audience sing-alongs of well-loved carols, bridging the gap between professional performance and community participation. The artistic director emphasizes the intentional selection of works that express universal hope and reconciliation, reflecting the founding principles of the Schiller Institute itself.
The Chorus and Its Philosophical Underpinnings
The Schiller Institute NYC Chorus is the musical wing of the international Schiller Institute, an organization dedicated to promoting classical culture as a force for human development and dialogue. The chorus is composed of non-professional singers from diverse backgrounds united by a commitment to serious study and performance of the great choral repertoire. Their performances are noted for both vocal precision and the expressive communication of the text’s philosophical depth. For context on the role of choral music in civic life, the Chorus America organization provides research on the impact of community singing.
Venue and Event Logistics
The Church of St. Paul the Apostle, with its soaring ceilings and magnificent acoustics, provides an ideal setting for the program. The concert is open to the public with a suggested donation, in keeping with the institute’s mission of making classical culture accessible. Doors open one hour prior to the 4:00 PM performance, and a reception with the artists will follow in the church hall.
Significance in New York’s Cultural Landscape
In a holiday season often dominated by commercial spectacles and pop-infused celebrations, the Schiller Institute concert offers a contemplative, artistically substantial alternative. It attracts a dedicated audience that values the intellectual and spiritual dimensions of the season as expressed through the pinnacle of Western choral art. The event stands as a testament to the vibrant, if sometimes overlooked, ecosystem of community-based classical music in New York City.
A Moment of Collective Reflection
The “Peace on Earth” concert is positioned not merely as entertainment, but as an opportunity for shared cultural and spiritual reflection at year’s end. By bringing together centuries-old music with a contemporary message, the chorus aims to create a resonant experience that transcends the moment, offering attendees a sense of clarity and connection–a true gift during the often-frantic holiday period in the city.
