Mission

The mission of St. Joseph Community Chorus is to foster the enjoyment and appreciation of good choral music among its membership and the community at large by providing an organization of the highest musical caliber to present quality performances of choral literature.

History

Founded in 1980, the St. Joseph Community Chorus under the artistic direction of Frank D. Thomas, presents interesting, challenging and diverse programs of choral music from the classical to contemporary throughout the Midwestern United States. The Chorus enjoys a rich history of outstanding choral performances in many beautiful settings. The Chorus strives to adhere to its mission statement to foster the enjoyment and appreciation of good choral music among its membership and the community at large by providing an organization of the highest musical caliber to present exceptional performances of choral literature.

The Chorus has performed with the St. Joseph Symphony such works as the Haydn Creation, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Britten’s War Requiem, Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony, Verdi’s Requiem, and Orff’s Carmina Burana. The Chorus has also performed exchange concerts with other community choruses and for other Performing Arts Series. In 1997, the St. Joseph Community Chorus toured England and Wales and in 2002, Eastern Europe participating in the Innsbruck International Choral Festival. The Chorus has been invited to perform at state and regional conventions and has premièred commissioned works by internationally known composers.

From within the Chorus, a select Chamber Choir was created in 1987. The chamber ensemble, invited to perform at public and private events during the year, traveled to France in 2005 as part of a choral exchange with the Chorale Divertimento of Lille.

History of Artistic Directors

• Dr. Frank D. Thomas

• Dr. David Benz

• Dr. Elise Hepworth

• Mrs. Jennifer Stammers

• Dr. Timothy Tharaldson