About Magnolia Chorale

Magnolia Chorale is a community of singers who share a passion for the joyful and inspiring influence of music. We have been singing in Magnolia for over 35 years. Our members come from all over the Seattle area, and each brings an intense personal commitment to all aspects of participation -rehearsals, fundraising, and artistic development. This commitment creates a community where we have fun, work hard, and enjoy the spirit of music and camaraderie.

Our Mission
Magnolia Chorale's mission, as a community-based, non-profit organization, is to provide opportunities for singers to participate in performing a wide variety of sacred and secular choral music. The Chorale shares its joy in music for the delight of our audiences.

Concerts & Rehearsals
We perform a two-concert series twice a year. The first series is presented in early December and the second in late April or early May. Each concert series includes seasonal pieces and may also include a major work. Special soloists and instrumentalists frequently accent selected pieces.

We rehearse weekly at Magnolia United Church of Christ, and our concerts are typically held at the Magnolia Lutheran Church. We are an independent organization and are not affiliated with the churches, their programs, or missions. We are most grateful to both hosting venues for their hospitality.
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History
Magnolia Chorale began in the fall of 1989. It was the offspring of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension ecumenical choir’s presentation of A Celebration of Hope by gospel lyricist Paul Johnson with music by Otis Skillings. Inspired by this wonderful experience of making music together, several of the members formed a committee to determine if there was a future for such a musical organization in the Magnolia community. It turned out there was, and the result became the Magnolia Chorale.
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The Chorale’s inaugural concert was presented at Ballard’s Nordic Heritage Museum on December 8, 1989. A few decades later, the Chorale, currently under the direction of Joseph To, continues its tradition. We perform classical and sacred music from the Renaissance to the contemporary era, as well as a broad range of secular music from traditional to Broadway, folk, and jazz. We have even sung the national anthem at Seattle Mariners and Thunderbirds games. The Chorale is a member of the Greater Seattle Choral Consortium.