The New Orleans Black Chorale grew out of an ensemble that sang with the New Orleans Philharmonic Symphony when it presented the first "Symphony in Black" in 1980, a concert that highlighted the contributions of black artists to the cultural wealth of New Orleans.

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Originally under the direction of the late Edwin B. Hogan, it was comprised of soloists, people from organized church choirs, college choirs, and others with an interest in preserving American Negro Spirituals.

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Throughout its history the Chorale has not only given the New Orleans community access to music not usually heard, but has also provided scholarships to music students at Xavier, Dillard, and Southern Universities.

John E. Ware - D.M.A.

Our Conductor & Musical Director

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John E. Ware is a Professor of Music at Xavier University where he teaches Voice, Conducting, Vocal Diction, Vocal Literature and Pedagogy, and is the Conductor of the Xavier Concert Choir and University Chorus. He is passionate about keeping the American Negro Spiritual alive.

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Dr. Ware is the designated Rosa Keller Endowed Chair in Music at Xavier University. Ware holds memberships in the National Association of Teachers of Singing, The American Choral Director’s Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Music Fraternity and is a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. As a national choral adjudicator for World Strides/Heritage Music Festival Company, Ware travels yearly throughout the U.S., British Columbia, and Puerto Rico listening to hundreds of high school choral groups and working with their directors.