Chorale Midwest Mission and Vision

​

The Chorale begins its 28th season in Fall of 2024, it’s 23rd season under Director of Chorale Activities, Bradley T. Barrett.

​

In 1996, singers came together to participate in the 200-voice Freedom Festival Chorus under Cedar Rapids conductor Charles Ashford. This event sparked the joy of choral music in several singers. In September of 1997, they met with other friends and singers to discuss reprising a group that sang together years earlier on a singing tour of Europe. It was at this meeting that they decided to create The New Midwest Chorale.

 

The group used word of mouth and a short piece in the newspaper to announce auditions, and The New Midwest Choral began their first rehearsals under the direction of Charles Ashford. Their debut performance took place in January 1998 at McKinley Middle School.

​

The board of the newly incorporated ensemble set its sights high: a group not to exceed fifty-five voices, to perform regionally and internationally, and be an alternative to other area community choirs. These goals made the Chorale unique among other area choral organizations.

​

From 1997 to 2000, the Chorale performed under the direction of Charles Ashford, Gene LeVasseur, and Bruce Chamberlain. As a nod to their artistic advancement, the Chorale dropped “New” from the name, and as the new millennium began, The New Midwest Chorale became Chorale Midwest. The newly renamed Choral Midwest went on to perform under conductor Michael Reese for three seasons, from 2000-2003.

​

The 2022-2023 season marked the 21st year that Chorale Midwest sang under Director of Chorale Activities, Bradley T Barrett. With many longstanding members, the choir has developed a synergy that enables them to perform inspirational and innovative concert programs at the highest artistic level. Chorale Midwest continues to grow in popularity and has become a vibrant part of the community.

​

After an unexpected hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our 25th Anniversary landmark season marked another moment. For the first time in its history, Chorale Midwest performed two commissioned works: a new arrangement by Matthew Culloton that debuted at our Christmas Concert, on Dec. 11, 2021; and a new choral work by Elaine Hagenberg for SATB choir, piano, and strings which debuted at the Spring Concert, April 2, 2022. Ms. Hagenberg’s choral work, Illuminare, is the piece Chorale Midwest performed the work along with other choirs at Carnegie Hall in New York City on March 13, 2023.

​

The Chorale Midwest 2024-2025 season will be filled with exciting performances! Our season, Love, Joy, and Peace Through Song begins October 13th at Grace Episcopal Church with our fall concert. Christmas With Chorale Midwest, at Grace Episcopal Church, will be on Sunday, December 8 at 2:30 pm and Tuesday, December 10 at 7:30. We will have two performances of our fundraising gala, designed around the music of the 1970s, on Feb. 1, 2025, at the Scottish Rite Temple. Our final performance of the season is our Spring concert on  Sunday, May 4th at 2:30 and Monday, May 5th at 7:30.  We look forward to sharing beautiful music with you all season!