Our History
The Georgia Festival Chorus was begun in the fall of 1987 as the Cobb Festival Chorus, under the direction of Frank Boggs. After 23 years at the Westminster School, where he directed the choral groups and started the orchestra program, Frank was considering his future opportunities. His friend the Reverend Lewis Abbott said to him, “Frank, if you don’t have a chorus to direct, you will be miserable.” Persuaded by this encouragement, Mr. Boggs put a small ad in the Marietta newspaper, revealing his plan to start a community chorus. Eighteen singers passed the first auditions. The Chorus found itself in venues as diverse as the Atlanta Festival of Trees and weekday evening church meetings. As participation and popularity grew, however, it quickly became apparent that the Chorus should expand their name recognition beyond that of simply a “community” musical ensemble; hence, the name change to The Georgia Festival Chorus.
With Frank's retirement to Director Emeritus in 2019, the Chorus is led by Director David Scott. A founding member, David has sung and assisted in directing the group since its beginning.
The Chorus averages nearly one hundred singers each season and continues to spread the Good News through the splendor of sacred song. The stated purpose was then, as it remains today, to glorify the Risen Christ through song while maintaining musical and choral excellence and integrity.
Georgia Festival Chorus is well known for its repertoire of sacred classics, anthems, hymn arrangements, spirituals, and folk songs. Since its founding the Chorus has sung throughout Atlanta and the wider Georgia area, and overseas as well on tours to England, Scotland, Ireland, Austria, Denmark and Italy, and even concertized aboard an Alaskan cruise. It has been a privilege for the chorus to have sung in revered Christian venues and cathedrals, including Westminster Abbey in London, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, and the magnificent Copenhagen Cathedral for the birthday of Frank’s Boggs’ close friend, Prince Henrik of Denmark.