[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "what%20US%20choirs%20did%20John%20Nelson%20contuct"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here are some of the U.S. choirs and choral ensembles that conductor John Nelson led, along with the contexts in which he worked with them:\n\n- **New Jersey Pro Arte Chorale** \u2014 One of Nelson\u2019s early significant roles in the U.S. was as conductor of this chorale. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Nelson_%28conductor%29?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Pro Arte Festival Chorus** \u2014 Nelson conducted this chorus during the 1972 concert version of Berlioz\u2019s *Les Troyens* at Carnegie Hall. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2025/04/08/john-nelson-dead-berlioz-conductor/?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Metropolitan Opera Chorus (Met Opera Chorus)** \u2014 As part of his work at the Metropolitan Opera, he was responsible for preparing and conducting its chorus. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Nelson_%28conductor%29?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Chicago Symphony Chorus** \u2014 Nelson worked with this major ensemble in Chicago through his initiatives with Soli Deo Gloria; for example, preparing them for a concert in April 1994. ([cso.org](https://cso.org/experience/article/23463/remembering-john-nelson?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Lyric Opera of Chicago Chorus** \u2014 Also under his oversight through concert and church-affiliated performances, especially via Soli Deo Gloria. ([cso.org](https://cso.org/experience/article/23463/remembering-john-nelson?utm_source=openai))  \n\nIf you like, I can also try to find a more comprehensive list, including the specific pieces and dates he conducted with each of those choirs."
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "yes"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here\u2019s a more detailed and comprehensive list of U.S. choirs, choruses, and choral ensembles John Nelson worked with\u2014along with specific pieces, contexts, and dates\u2014based on documented performances and his artistic directorship.\n\n---\n\n## Key Ensembles John Nelson Conducted\n\n| Ensemble / Chorus | Contexts / Works | Dates / Venues |\n|---|------------------|------------------|\n| **Pro Arte Chorale (New Jersey)** | Music Director; appeared under his baton in its subscription series. He led this chorus in major choral works regionally. | Nelson was music director of the New Jersey Pro Arte Chorale (dates not always precisely documented). ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Nelson_%28conductor%29?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Metropolitan Opera Chorus** | As part of his work at the Met, handled chorus parts for operas; his house debut was conducting *Les Troyens* there. | House debut at the Met was in 1973 with *Les Troyens*, substituting for Rafael Kubel\u00edk on short notice. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Nelson_%28conductor%29?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Chicago Symphony Chorus** & **Lyric Opera of Chicago Chorus** | Prepared them for Sacred / a cappella works under the auspices of Soli Deo Gloria; gave performances including unaccompanied works by Henryk G\u00f3recki. | April 1994 at Saint Mary of the Angels Church in Chicago, under SDG: \u201cPrepared the Chicago Symphony Chorus and Lyric Opera of Chicago Chorus for \u2026 a cappella works by Henryk G\u00f3recki.\u201d ([cso.org](https://cso.org/experience/article/23463/remembering-john-nelson?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Chicago Bach Choir & Orchestra** | Founded and led annual Holy-Week cycles (St. Matthew Passion, St. John Passion, Mass in B Minor), accompanied by performances of contemporary sacred commissions. | From 2011 onward with the Chicago Bach Project (Soli Deo Gloria). For instance, *St. Matthew Passion*, April 20, 2011 at St. Vincent de Paul Parish ([chicagoclassicalreview.com](https://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2011/04/nelson-leads-majestic-performance-of-bachs-st-matthew-passion/?utm_source=openai)); *St. John Passion*, March 21, 2015 at Harris Theater ([chicagoclassicalreview.com](https://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2015/03/nelson-leads-chicago-bach-project-in-an-inspired-and-reverential-st-john-passion/?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Anima\u2014Children\u2019s Chorus (Greater Chicago)** | Acted as youth or children\u2019s chorus in Bach project performances under SDG, supporting major works like *St. Matthew Passion*. | E.g. *St. Matthew Passion* in 2011 included Anima\u2014Children\u2019s Chorus of Greater Chicago; more broadly used in multiple SDG-led performances. ([chicagoclassicalreview.com](https://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2011/04/nelson-leads-majestic-performance-of-bachs-st-matthew-passion/?utm_source=openai)) |\n\n---\n\n## Additional Associations & Events\n\n- **Soli Deo Gloria (SDG)**  \n  Nelson founded this organization (in 1999) to promote sacred music and has used its resources to present large choruses and choirs with top vocal soloists, particularly under the Chicago Bach Project. ([bach-cantatas.com](https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Festival/Festival-Chicago-BP.htm?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **Chicago Bach Project (Holy Week Cycles)**  \n  Each year (starting 2011) Nelson conducted one of Bach\u2019s major sacred choral works: rotating among *St. Matthew Passion*, *St. John Passion*, *Mass in B Minor*. The choruses used are typically the Chicago Bach Choir and its supporting ensembles. ([bach-cantatas.com](https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Festival/Festival-Chicago-BP.htm?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\nIf you like, I can try to assemble a **chronological list** with every known U.S. choir he led, including less prominent ones, and include data like conductor rehearsal credits and media recordings."
    }
]