The Dresden Kreuzchor is one of the oldest and most famous boys' choirs in the world. Its history dates back to the first mention of the city of Dresden in the early 13th century. Even after more than 800 years, one of the Crucians' most important tasks is to sing in the liturgical services of the Kreuzkirche on Dresden's Altmarkt. Here the Dresden Kreuzchor performs at vespers and church services and regularly gives concerts of outstanding works of sacred music. They form the core of the repertoire and are an expression of the choir's Christian-humanist character. Apart from important soloists, the choir's main artistic partners are the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra and the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden. The Dresdner Kreuzchor also works with early music ensembles such as the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra and the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin. The repertoire of the Dresdner Kreuzchor ranges from the Renaissance to world premieres of contemporary works. His extensive artistic output is documented in numerous recordings.
In addition to its formative function for musical life in Dresden, the choir, which is supported by the city, has been travelling throughout Germany and beyond European borders to Israel, Canada, Japan, South America, Korea, China and the USA for almost 100 years. It represents the Saxon capital as its oldest cultural institution on almost every continent and recently made its debut at the Shanghai International Arts Festival and together with the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden at the Salzburg Easter Festival. The choristers are also regularly engaged as soloists for opera roles.
The Crucians attend the Evangelisches Kreuzgymnasium, one of the oldest schools in Germany, until they graduate from high school. Many Crucians live in the neighbouring alumnat, the choir's boarding school. In addition to the normal school day, the singers, aged between nine and eighteen, receive individual singing and instrumental lessons. Their intensive rehearsal work and the unique magic of the boys' voices form the foundation for the international fame of the Dresden Kreuzchor.