Suffolk County's Long Island Symphonic Choral Association (LISCA) was founded by Gregg Smith in 1968, when he was at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Despite having moved to New York City, Mr. Smith has maintained his over 30 year devotion to LISCA, traveling to Suffolk County every Tuesday night to rehearse the group. Under his guidance, LISCA has developed into a seasoned chorus noted for its fine intonation and blend and for the imaginative programming that is Mr. Smith's hallmark. The group repertory ranges from the Renaissance masters to the avant-garde, an includes premiers of many works of contemporary composers. The chorus toured in France and England in 1997,  Iceland in 2000, and Ireland in 2003.

LISCA's Musical Director, Gregg Smith, is world-famous as a choral conductor  and as a composer. His professional chorus, the Gregg Smith Singers, is internationally known and widely recorded. In 2001 Chorus America awarded the GSS the Margaret Hillis award for choral excellence. In November 2003, the American Composers Alliance presented Gregg with its Laurel Leaf Award for "distinguished achievment in fostering and encouraging American Music".

Our Associate Conductor, Thomas Schmidt, is Director of Music at Saint Peter's Lutheran Church in Manhattan. He is founder of the annual Basically Bach Festival at Saint Peter's, and is pianist with the Arden Trio.

 
LISCA's funding comes, in part, from the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program, which is administered in Suffolk County by the Huntington Arts Council; and from Suffolk County's Department of Economic Development, Division of Cultural Affairs; and from individual and business donations. A copy of LISCA's last annual report, filed with the New York State Board of Social Welfare, may be obtained by writing to the Board, Office Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany NY 12223, or to LISCA, 6 Bobs Lane, Setauket, NY 11733.

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