Who we are
Magnolia Chorale is a community of singers who share a passion for the joyful and inspiring influence of music. We have been singing in the Magnolia area for over 30 years. Our members come from all across the Seattle area.
Last fall, in the wake of the terrible murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many others, we examined our history. We discovered several factors that have kept us from seeing the realities of systemic racism that affect us and our community, including:
Last fall, in the wake of the terrible murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many others, we examined our history. We discovered several factors that have kept us from seeing the realities of systemic racism that affect us and our community, including:
- Our geographic location, in a region of Seattle once subject to racial restrictive housing covenants and outside the redline
- The demographics of our membership, strongly white
- The nature of the Western European choral tradition, the product of historically white cultures.
Founders of Magnolia Chorale
Each member of Magnolia Chorale brings an intense personal commitment to all aspects of participation—rehearsals, fund-raising, and artistic development. This commitment creates a community where we have fun, work hard, and enjoy the spirit of music and camaraderie.
We perform a two-concert series twice a year. The first series is presented in early December and the second around the first weekend in May. Each concert series includes seasonal pieces and may also include a major work. Special soloists and instrumentalists frequently accent selected pieces.
We rehearse at Magnolia United Church of Christ, and our concerts are typically held there, or 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.
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.
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.
During the COVID-19 pandemic we continued to meet online with a variety of themed events and welcomed visitors to join us from time to time.
Mission Statement
Magnolia Chorale is a community-based, non-profit organization that provides 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.
We perform a two-concert series twice a year. The first series is presented in early December and the second around the first weekend in May. Each concert series includes seasonal pieces and may also include a major work. Special soloists and instrumentalists frequently accent selected pieces.
We rehearse at Magnolia United Church of Christ, and our concerts are typically held there, or 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.
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.
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.
During the COVID-19 pandemic we continued to meet online with a variety of themed events and welcomed visitors to join us from time to time.
Mission Statement
Magnolia Chorale is a community-based, non-profit organization that provides 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.
For more information
Our Supporters
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Bravo to our supporters! Individual and business supporters are vital to our ability to bring beautiful music to our community. Our thanks to these patrons of the arts!
Magnolia Chorale is an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and is governed by an annually elected Board of Directors. Donations to the chorale are fully tax-deductible. Magnolia Chorale is proud to have received funding from the following: 4Culture (King County Arts Sustained Support Program), and countless individuals, businesses and families who believe in our work. Click here to learn more. |
Operational Details
Here are our key documents, the bylaws and our description of expectations for our chorale.