Founded in 1815 in Boston, Massachusetts, the Handel and Haydn Society is recognized as the oldest continuously performing arts organization in the United States. Its inaugural concert was held on Christmas Day, which symbolically linked the performance with themes of joy and community celebration. Under the direction of Elias Nash, the society's first concert featured a selection of choral works by composers George Frideric Handel and Franz Joseph Haydn, significant figures in the Baroque and Classical music periods respectively. The choice of repertoire was deliberate, aiming to showcase the richness of early classical music to an American audience at a time when such works were rare in public performance.The concert was held in Boston's Federal Street Theatre, a venue known for hosting various cultural events. The society, made up of local musicians and enthusiasts, sought to enrich the cultural fabric of the city and provide a platform for performing the masterpieces of European composers. The blend of sacred and secular music performed during this concert highlighted the society's mission to elevate the understanding and appreciation of music among the American public.The event culminated not only in a musical performance but also in the establishment of a tradition that has played a crucial role in American music history. The Handel and Haydn Society would go on to contribute significantly to the performance practices of choral music in the United States, influencing both the types of music performed and the standard of musical education across the nation.