Dear Friends of the Arizona Masterworks Chorale,
I hope you’re enjoying a wonderful summer! As we look ahead to a new season, I am thrilled to invite you to be part of another exciting year of music-making with the Arizona Masterworks Chorale.
As we begin my second season as Music Director, I couldn’t be more excited about what lies ahead. We’ve planned a season filled with inspiring music, meaningful collaborations, and programs that celebrate the power of choral singing to bring people together.
Rehearsals Begin August 24th
Our first rehearsal will be Monday, August 24, at our regular rehearsal location and time, from 7 to 9 PM at Church of the Epiphany, 2222 South Price Road in Tempe (Near Loop 101 and East Broadway Road).
To welcome both returning and new singers, our first two rehearsals (August 24 and 31) will be Open Rehearsals. Rather than immediately diving into note learning, we’ll spend these evenings exploring selections from our upcoming concerts, getting to know one another, and enjoying a preview of the wonderful music we’ll perform throughout the season. These rehearsals are the perfect opportunity to invite a friend or fellow singer who may be interested in joining the chorale.
We will not rehearse on Labor Day (September 7). Regular weekly rehearsals and focused preparation for our first concert will begin on Monday, September 14.
Here’s a preview of our exciting concert season (some of the details are still being worked out, so check our website frequently for the latest updates and news about the works, composers, and performers).
Our 2026–2027 Concert Season
Home for the Holidays: An American Christmas
Proposed Performances:
- Saturday, December 12, 2026 – 2 pm – Saint Anthony on the Desert Episcopal Church, Scottsdale
- Second performance – TBD
Celebrate the conclusion of America’s 250th anniversary with a heartwarming holiday program featuring beloved Christmas favorites by American composers. The first half will showcase Robert Shaw and Robert Russell Bennett’s magnificent The Many Moods of Christmas (Suites I & III), followed by a festive collection of Christmas and Hanukkah music filled with nostalgia, warmth, and holiday cheer.
One Voice, Many Songs
Proposed Performances:
- Saturday, February 27, 2027 – Dayspring United Methodist Church, Tempe, AZ
- Second performance – TBD
Our winter concert will be an exciting collaborative event featuring guest adult choirs and a children’s choir. The centerpiece will be the vibrant and energetic Zimbe! Come Sing the Songs of Africa, complemented by additional repertoire celebrating diverse world musical traditions and the joy of singing together.
Encore!: Masterworks of the Stage
Proposed Performances:
- Saturday, May 15, 2027 – Church of the Epiphany, Tempe, AZ – awaiting conf.
- Sunday, May 16, 2027 – Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Phoenix, AZ – awaiting conf.
We’ll conclude the season with an unforgettable celebration of Broadway. This program will feature choral favorites from many of the greatest musicals ever written, including selections from Oklahoma!, The Music Man, My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, and more.
Special Event: The Fifth Annual Arts at Ascension Messiah Sing-Along
Sunday, November 29, 2026
North Scottsdale United Methodist Church
Join us for one of our favorite annual traditions as singers from across the community gather to perform Handel’s Messiah. Whether you’ve sung it dozens of times or have always wanted to experience it, this joyful event is open to everyone and is a wonderful way to begin the Advent season.
As I look toward this second season with the Arizona Masterworks Chorale, I am filled with gratitude and excitement. Last season demonstrated the remarkable talent, dedication, and welcoming spirit of this organization, and I truly believe our best days are ahead.
If you’ve sung with us before, I sincerely hope you’ll return for another wonderful season. If you’ve been thinking about joining, there has never been a better time. Our Open Rehearsals are designed specifically to welcome new singers and provide an opportunity to experience the chorale before making a commitment.
Please invite your friends, fellow choir members, church musicians, and anyone who loves great choral music to join us. Together we’ll perform an outstanding season of musical masterworks, build new friendships, and continue sharing the joy of choral singing with our community.
I look forward to seeing you on Monday, August 25, as we begin another memorable season together!
With warmest regards,
Darren Herring
Music Director
Arizona Masterworks Chorale
