New season opens with "Daring to Dream"

​By Joseph To, Artistic Director, Magnolia Chorale

Magnolia Chorale launches our 2026–27 season this September with a program exploring one of the most universal aspects of human experience: dreaming. Titled “Daring to Dream,” the new season explores dreams both literal and metaphorical—from the mysterious stories that unfold while we sleep, to the hopes and aspirations that shape our lives and communities.
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Our first rehearsal is Sunday, September 13. For the first week only we’ll start at 6:00 pm with a bit of social time and snacks. The rest of the rehearsals start at 6:30 pm. Performances are Saturday December 12 and Sunday December 13.

This season’s repertoire features a wide range of musical styles, including works inspired by lullabies, blues, and other traditions, alongside larger-scale choral repertoire. The Chorale will also welcome Northwest Girlchoir as special guests, adding the voices of younger singers to the program.

Not all dreams happen in sleep
Everyone experiences dreaming, but dreams can mean very different things. “Daring to Dream” examines the many ways people experience and understand dreams. They can be vivid or fleeting, comforting or unsettling, and sometimes seem to disappear almost as soon as we wake.

The idea of dreaming also extends beyond sleep. People dream about their families, their communities, their work and creative lives, and the future they hope to build. These aspirations can provide direction and motivation, particularly during times when the future feels uncertain. For Magnolia Chorale, this theme offers an opportunity to consider both kinds of dreams through music.

“Daring to Dream” suggests taking a risk: imagining possibilities that may not yet exist and having the courage to pursue them. That idea resonates particularly strongly with the experience of singing in a community choir.

A successful choir depends on individuals listening to one another and contributing to a shared musical goal. Each singer brings a distinct voice, but the finished work depends on the group as a whole. That sense of collective effort is one of the reasons community singing remains such a meaningful part of life in Magnolia and throughout the Seattle area.

A season for the community
Magnolia Chorale has long been a place where people come together through music, and the new season continues that tradition. The inclusion of Northwest Girlchoir offers an opportunity to bring singers of different generations together around a common musical experience.

For audiences, the December concerts offer a chance to hear that collaboration and to consider the season’s central question: What does it mean to dream—and what does it take to make those dreams possible?
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As we begin rehearsals, I’m looking forward to discovering the answers alongside our singers and our community. I invite you to join us in that discovery. For more details check the home page and the “Join Us” section of the website.

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