About the West Valley Chorale
Our Mission
The mission of The West Valley Chorale is to provide a means for experienced choral singers to join together to present great choral literature and to provide opportunities for the public to hear such choral works performed.
Our Past
The West Valley Chorale is celebrating its 41st season. A vibrant community vocal group, the Chorale was formed in 1983 as an adjunct to the Sun Cities Symphony Orchestra Association. The Chorale became an independent non-profit in 1989. Since then, the Chorale has frequently appeared as guest artist with the Symphony. Performances included Beethoven’s Ninth (Choral) Symphony, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, several Christmas concerts, and selected opera choruses.
Our Present
The Chorale performs winter and spring concerts each year focusing on masterpieces of choral music with lighter music to balance the experience. Professional vocal and instrumental artists often accompany the Chorale along with our highly accomplished resident accompanist Christine Kyhn.
With artistic director Ken Goodenberger bringing vast experience in choral directing and vocal coaching skills to the group, the Chorale will continue to present challenging and enjoyable music for both the singers and our audience.
In addition, members of the Chorale are offered the opportunity to sing in a smaller ensemble directed by Chorale member Ted Faszer, a retired choral conductor and professor. You may hear them sing at community venues. For more information, go to the West Valley Singers page.
Our Chorale Members
The Chorale consists of about 70 talented singers from the West Valley, most with vocal training and choral experience and a few were teachers and professors of music. All share a love of music and a delight in being part of the musical instrument that is a “well-tuned chorus”!
If you enjoy singing, consider joining us by reading the Auditions page and arranging an audition with our Artistic Director
Our Music
Here is a sampling of the major works we have performed over the past ten years. Usually the performances are enhanced with professional soloists often from the Arizona Opera and professional ensembles:
- Verdi’s Requiem – partnered with Grand Canyon University Chorus and its orchestra and performed in Phoenix Symphony Hall
- Brahms’ Requiem
- Haydn’s Creation
- Handel’s Messiah – partnered with West Valley Symphony
- J.S. Bach’s Magnificat
- Beethoven’s Mass in C Major
- Mendelssohn’s Elijah
- Mozart’s Requiem
- Three Nocturnes for Chorus and Percussion Ensemble by Dan Forrest
- Legacy by Craig Bohmler
- Songs of Steel by Craig Bohmler