ABOUT LANCASTER CHORALE
- Ohio's only thirty-two voice professional choir, Lancaster Chorale is well known for its musical integrity and remarkable blend. Versatile, the Chorale maintains a repertoire of the finest in choral literature within a wide range of styles, idioms and periods.
- Formed in 1985 as a community choir, becoming professional in 1989, the "pure sound" of Lancaster Chorale has attracted national attention. With a reputation for superb ensemble singing, Lancaster Chorale has received funding through grants from the Don Wendel Family Fund of the Fairfield County Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, Arts Midwest, Presser Foundation, and SBC Ameritech.
- Our February, 2007 performance of Gregorio Allegri's MISERERE MEI, DEUS was the opening selection on WOSU-FM's "Music in Mid-Ohio", with Christopher Purdy, celebrating the finest in musical performances that season.
- The Chorale's recordings of Howell's Requiem, Barber's Adagio, and Martin's Mass For Two Choirs have been featured on "The First Art", a nationally syndicated series broadcast over National Public Radio, showcasing excellence in American choral music...tune into the NPR affiliate in your area!
- Chorale enters their tenth season as Choral Ensemble in Residence at historic St. Joseph Cathedral in Columbus, Ohio. Other recent honors include collaboration with Pro Music Chamber Orchestra in the fully-staged version of Leonard Bernstein's MASS, under the baton of Timothy Russell and stage direction of Michael Scarola from NYC Opera.
MISSION STATEMENT & BRIEF HISTORY
IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE:
As a professional vocal ensemble, the purpose of the Lancaster Chorale is to perform the finest choral literature, encompassing a wide range of styles, idioms and periods. The Chorale is characterized by its unique versatility, control, precision and blend.
Lancaster Chorale was formed in 1985 as a community choir. In 1986 Robert Trocchia was appointed Artistic Director and in 1989, the group became fully professional, auditioning annually, paying all thirty-two singers, the Artistic Director, Accompanist and all guest artists. In July of 1994, Chorale hired its first Managing Director. The Lancaster Chorale is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors with support in fund raising, ticket sales and concert operations provided by the Lancaster Chorale Support Group, a volunteer organization.
The Chorale has commissioned at least one major new work each year and has received, annually, a General Support grant from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). In the Spring of 1994, through a special Technical Assistance grant from the OAC, the Chorale Board of Directors hired a consultant to assist in the development and adoption of a new Long Range Plan. Goals of this plan include:
- To continue to uphold artistic excellence
- To expand the Board of Directors
- To establish professional management toward improved continuity
- To achieve and maintain financial growth and stability
- To expand activity level and geographic scope
- To conduct effective marketing
Lancaster Chorale seeks to become a major force in choral music through a carefully planned and balanced program of performances, recording, commissions, touring, education, fund raising and promotion.
