Originally known as Tuscaloosa Community Singers, Prentice Concert Chorale was formed in 1970, by Dr. Frederick Prentice of the University of Alabama and Dr. Robert Herrema of Stillman College, both choral professors, Ila Glynn, a well -known and accomplished music teacher, and Doris Leapard, a local merchant and longtime champion of the arts.

In the choir’s forty year history it has performed with the University of Alabama Symphony, Tuscaloosa Symphony, Birmingham Symphony, and Alabama Symphony Orchestras. Guest artists who have performed with the choir include: Dave Brubeck, Jerome Hines, Sherrill Milnes, and William Warfield. The choir has presented great choral masterworks, including: Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and St. John’s Passion; Mozart’s Requiem and Vesperae Solennes; Brahms’ Requiem; Mendelssohn’s Elijah; and Orff’s Carmina Burana. In recent years, Prentice Concert Chorale presented Tuscaloosa’s first performance of the complete oratorio of Handel’s Messiah, and Alabama’s premiere performance of Carl Jenkins’ The Armed Man. In April 2012 Prentice Chorale presented Tuscaloosa’s first in over twenty-five years complete performance of J.S. Bach’s B minor Mass.

In addition to formal concerts Prentice Chorale is committed to presenting community service concerts. Recent venues include: Merrill Garden’s Assisted Living Center, Hospice of West AL, Capstone Village, and Brewer-Porch Children’s Center.