Photo Caption: Under the direction of Sister Jane Marie Perrot, a Daughter of Charity. The chorus performed at the canonization of Elizabeth Ann Seton with Sister Jane Marie Perrot directing (upper right) was the first woman to conduct a choir at St Peter’s Square. Photo courtesy of Daughters of Charity (https://docarchivesblog.org).
History of ECC
The Emmitsburg Community Chorus was formed as a nonprofit organization in 1966 by R. Diehl Ackerman, who also served as the group's first choral director. The group was originally organized as an interdenominational church chorus consisting of men and women who regularly sang in the choirs of the Protestant churches. As membership increased, the name was changed to the Emmitsburg Community Chorus (ECC). When Ackerman left the position in 1968, Sister Jane Marie Perrot, of the Daughters of Charity and a music instructor at St. Joseph College, became the ECC's choral director.
Under the direction of Sister Jane Marie, the Community Chorus was invited by the Vatican to perform at the 1975 Canonization of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Rome. Elizabeth Ann Seton became the first native-born American saint. The Emmitsburg Community Chorus traveled to Rome where it sang in St. Peter's Square in the presence of Pope Paul VI and thousands of onlookers. Sister Jane Marie became the first woman to conduct a choir in that historic location.
The Chorus has also sung at the Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg in April 1975, May 1976 and June 1992. In 2009 the Chorus was invited to sing at the Opening Mass of the Bicentennial and Feast Day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
The Emmitsburg Community Chorus continues to perform, with its concerts made possible through donations and generous grants provided by the Frederick Arts Council. The Chorus presents an annual series of Winter and Spring concerts, including a Christmas performance at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine and the Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday at the Grotto of Lourdes at Mount St. Mary's University. The group also visits local nursing homes and has sung at many civic functions in Frederick County and the surrounding areas.
Most recently, the Emmitsburg Community Chorus preformed at the Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland to celebrate the 50th anniversary celebration of the canonization of Elizabeth Ann Seton. See the ECC Photo Gallery for images of this performance. Also visit the Chorus' Performance Schedule for upcoming performances.
The ECC performing at the Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton (September 2025) in Emmitsburg, MD as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of her canonization in 1975.