The group was founded in 1938 as the Esso Choristers, the company choir for the Standard Oil Company (which became Exxon) in Elizabeth, New Jersey. It all began 70 years ago at the Bayway Refinery when a male chorus was formed at Esso in Linden, New Jersey. When World War II military service prevented the men from continuing to participate, the female employees and families of the Esso men organized the Women's Chorale to carry on the musical performances. The women contributed to the war effort and boosted morale by entertaining at Camp Kilmer, Fort Dix and veterans' hospitals.

After the war, the Esso Choristers included both men and women with membership no longer restricted to Esso employees. When Esso changed its name to Exxon, the singers became the Exxon Choristers. Sponsorship by Esso/Exxon was to end in the mid 70's when Exxon had a cutback in funding.

In 1978, the Exxon Choristers found sponsorship by the Township of Union and became the Union Choristers until 1980 when the group became a nonprofit independent organization and adopted the name Celebration Singers.

The current membership, under the direction of Sean Berg,  has grown to approximately 50 men and women ranging from 18 to over 60 years of age. The Children's Chorus, formed in 1996, consists of over 80 boys and girls who enjoy a tuition free musical education under the leadership of the current and founding director, Tom Pedas. The Celebration Singers is funded in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. The group has performed at the 1964 World's Fair, Liberty State Park, the Ocean Grove Auditorium and regularly performs at the Union County Arts Center.

From each and every member of the former Esso Choristers, Exxon Choristers, Union Choristers, and the present Celebration Singers and Children's Chorus, we say thank you for allowing us to bring our love of music and the joy of choral music to so many from 1938 to the present.