Cities around the world observed the 200th anniversary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's death in 1991, and Fayetteville was no exception. Mr. Alan Porter, professor of music at Methodist University (Methodist College, at that time), assembled a group of approximately 80 volunteers to perform Mozart's Requiem Mass in D Minor. The performance, with full orchestra, on November 20, 1991, was a highly acclaimed success.
The endeavor was so much fun that the group came clamoring back to Mr. Porter for more, and he did not need much persuasion. He had long desired to direct a mixed adult community choir performing classical choral music. And so, the Cumberland Oratorio Singers group was established.
In 2008, Mr. Michael Martin succeeded Mr. Porter as artistic director and conductor of the Cumberland Oratorio Singers. See the
About Us page for his biography.