The Arizona Masterworks Chorale has been Making Music Better for over 40 Years.
Our mission is to inspire and enrich our community through the power of choral music.
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The Arizona Masterworks Chorale has been Making Music Better for over 40 Years.
Our mission is to inspire and enrich our community through the power of choral music.
From the Essential Carols of John Rutter
John Rutter’s “Donkey Carol” is a musical gem that jingles with warmth and whimsy, capturing the humble journey to Bethlehem through the steady plod of a faithful donkey. Written in 1970 for the Cambridge Singers, it tells the story of Mary and Joseph’s travel from Nazareth, not with grandeur, but through the gentle rhythm of a beast of burden’s uneven steps. Rutter chose an unusual 5/8 meter, a lilting pattern that mimics the donkey’s gait—two short beats and a long one—creating a sense of movement that is both rustic and endearing.
The melody skips lightly, full of charm and curiosity, as if the listener can hear the bells jingling on the donkey’s harness and see Mary rocking gently with each sway. Beneath the surface playfulness, however, lies something deeply touching: the juxtaposition of the ordinary and the divine. The donkey’s small, steadfast journey mirrors the quiet miracle unfolding upon its back.
Through buoyant harmonies, sparkling percussion, and a tender lullaby refrain, Rutter invites singers and audiences alike to feel the wonder of Christmas from the donkey’s humble view—where joy is born not in splendor, but in the rhythmic clop-clop of simple faith and steadfast love.
November 30th at 3:00 PM
North Scottsdale United Methodist Church
11735 North Scottsdale Road
The Arts at Ascension presents the fourth annual Sing-Along of George Frederick Handel’s classic holiday oratorio “Messiah”
It’s a free, family holiday fun afternoon, featuring soloists and choristers from The Arizona Masterworks Chorale and North Scottsdale United Methodist, the musicians of the Women’s Orchestra of Arizona — and the voices of everyone who loves singing choruses from Handel’s magnificent creation.
Come and sing along, or just sit back and enjoy the greatest Christmas oratorio ever. No rehearsal is necessary for community singers! Bring your own vocal score, or If you don’t have one, click here to download one in PDF.
ADMISSION IS FREE – Donations Requested.
CLICK HERE TO RSVP AND LET US KNOW YOU’RE COMING!
Come Sing with the Arizona Masterworks Chorale!
Love to sing? Join the Arizona Masterworks Chorale for an exciting new season filled with music, community, and inspiration!
This year brings fresh energy with a new artistic staff, a new rehearsal and performance space, and a renewed focus on performing the great choral masterworks—both timeless classics and contemporary.
✨ Rehearsals are Mondays from 7 to 9 PM
at the Church of the Epiphany, 2222 South Price Road, Tempe.
All our Monday evenings are open rehearsals. It’s your chance to sing with us, meet our community, and experience the joy of making music together.
Whether you’re an experienced choral singer or returning after a break, you’ll find a warm welcome and the thrill of raising your voice with others. Don’t miss this opportunity to share in the beauty and power of choral music.
Sing with the Arizona Masterworks Chorale!
Love to sing? Join the Arizona Masterworks Chorale for an exciting new season filled with music, community, and inspiration!
This year brings fresh energy with a new artistic staff, a new rehearsal and performance space, and a renewed focus on performing the great choral masterworks—both timeless classics and contemporary.
✨ Rehearsals are Mondays from 7 to 9 PM
at the Church of the Epiphany, 2222 South Price Road, Tempe.
REHEARSALS START MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th
The first two weeks, September 8th and 15th, are open rehearsals. It’s your chance to sing with us, meet our community, and experience the joy of making music together.
Whether you’re an experienced choral singer or returning after a break, you’ll find a warm welcome and the thrill of raising your voice with others.
Don’t miss this opportunity to share in the beauty and power of choral music.
The Arizona Masterworks Chorale welcomes singers of all backgrounds, voices, and ages to grow their talents and sing beautifully in a collegial setting. You’ll work with skilled teaching artists who help you grow as an artist, perform with confidence, and make great music together.
Our New Rehearsal and Sunday Concert Home
The Arizona Masterworks Chorale is delighted to announce our new home for ensemble rehearsals and Sunday afternoon concerts at the Church of the Epiphany in Tempe.
Easy to reach from anywhere in the Valley of the Sun, near East Broadway Road and Loop 101, this venue has been home to numerous musical groups, from the Tempe Community Choir and Helios to the Phoenix Chorale.
AMC Announces our New Music Staff for the 2025-2026 Season
Welcome our new Music Director Darren Herring and Assistant Conductors/Teaching Artists Ashlie Smith and James Stirling, joining collaborative pianist Olga Gorelik and music librarian Cheryl Burton. Click Here to Learn More
Darren Herring
Music Director
Ashlie Smith
Assistant Conductor
James Stirling
Assistant Conductor
Olga Gorelik
Collaborative Pianist
Cheryl Burton
Music Librarian
Darren Herring
Music Director
Ashlie Smith
Assistant Conductor
James Stirling
Assistant Conductor
Olga Gorelik
Collaborative Pianist
Cheryl Burton
Music Librarian
“Sing! Get Happy!” in performance, May 2025
“Coming Home” in performance, March 2025
Make a Generous Donation to AMC
Make a Generous Donation to AMC
Our ongoing “Make Music Better” campaign asks you to support the Arizona Masterworks Chorale’s mission.
Our mission is to inspire and enrich our community through the power of choral music. AMC audiences experience the sheer beauty of sound and poetry in our ensemble – it’s a choral symphony of fine voices singing together.
Making music better means investing in the future. Please consider making a generous one-time or recurring donation, advertising with us, or sponsoring an event or artist.
Your generosity keeps our unique sound thriving in Arizona, and we thank you for your ongoing support.
Our ongoing “Make Music Better” campaign asks you to support the Arizona Masterworks Chorale’s mission.
Our mission is to inspire and enrich our community through the power of choral music. AMC audiences experience the sheer beauty of sound and poetry in our ensemble – it’s a choral symphony of fine voices singing together.
Making music better means investing in the future. Please consider making a generous one-time or recurring donation, advertising with us, or sponsoring an event or artist.
Your generosity keeps our unique sound thriving in Arizona, and we thank you for your ongoing support.
You can send a check to
The Arizona Masterworks Chorale
4802 East Ray Road, Suite 23-115, Phoenix AZ 85044
Our music library has a new home.
We’ve moved our music library from its old home at Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley to the brand-new LifeStorage center at Gilbert Crossing.
With your help, we can keep it thriving.
Maintaining our extensive library of over 15,000 copies of over 400 great choral works isn’t easy. Our Music Librarian Cheryl Burton works tirelessly to keep the library in shape and to provide scores to all choristers. But storage doesn’t come cheap! We’re asking for $2,500 in donations between now and June 2025 to keep the library in top condition.
An anonymous donor will match up to $500 in donations to the Music Library Fund made between now and August 31.
Sing with the Arizona Masterworks Chorale!
Love to sing? Join the Arizona Masterworks Chorale for an exciting new season filled with music, community, and inspiration!
This year brings fresh energy with a new artistic staff, a new rehearsal and performance space, and a renewed focus on performing the great choral masterworks—both timeless classics and contemporary.
✨ Rehearsals are Mondays from 7 to 9 PM at the Church of the Epiphany, 2222 South Price Road, Tempe.
REHEARSALS START MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th
The first two weeks are open rehearsals—your chance to sing with us, meet our community, and experience the joy of making music together.
Whether you’re an experienced choral singer or returning after a break, you’ll find a warm welcome and the thrill of raising your voice with others. Don’t miss this opportunity to share in the beauty and power of choral music.
The Arizona Masterworks Chorale welcomes singers of all backgrounds, voices, and ages to grow their talents and sing beautifully in a collegial setting. You’ll work with skilled teaching artists who help you grow as an artist, perform with confidence, and make great music together.
An Artistic Partnership
Founded in 2021 to support collaborations between our members to present the finest choral and orchestral music in a welcoming environment.
The Fourth Annual Arts at Ascension
Messiah Sing Along
Sunday, November 30 at 3:00 PM
North Scottsdale United Methodist Church
Watch This Space for Details!
NEXT CONCERT
Messiah Sing-Along 2025
November 30, 2025
NEXT CONCERT
Messiah Sing-Along 2025
November 30, 2025
Arizona Masterworks Chorale Supporters and Sponsors
