About Us
The Grammy-winning Phoenix Chorale is regarded as one of the finest professional choral ensembles in America. What began in 1958 as a small study group of singers became a fully professional choir in 1992 made up of Arizona residents: highly educated and trained singers, teachers and professionals.
The 28-voice chorus has been under the direction of Artistic Director Charles Bruffy since 1999. In 2004, the Phoenix Chorale became the first North American choir to record for the U.K.’s prestigious Chandos Records. Since then, the Chorale’s recordings have earned a total of eight GRAMMY® nominations and two GRAMMY® wins.
Audiences around the world have been treated to the sounds of the Chorale through live performances across the United States and in Canada, and in live broadcasts and recordings on radio stations across the globe including BBC Radio 3, Classic FM, Radio New Zealand, and more.
In 2012, the Phoenix Chorale released the first recording of choral works by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo (Yay-lo) titled Northern Lights: Choral Works by Ola Gjeilo. Northern Lights was the top selling title for Chandos in the US for 2012, climbed industry charts reaching #5 on the UK’s Gramophone Charts and #4 on the Billboard Charts. Northern Lights was also named “Best Classical Vocal Album of the Year” on iTunes Best of 2012.
Originally called the Bach & Madrigal Society of Phoenix, the Phoenix Chorale was founded in 1958 in the living room of Drs. Hal & Timona Pittman. At that time, the group focused on the music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Most recently, the Phoenix Chorale was known as the Phoenix Bach Choir, a name the group performed under for nearly twenty years.
In its fifty-five year history, the Phoenix Chorale’s conductors have included Millicent Wesley, Wallace Hornibrook, Dan Durand, Vance George, Anders Öhrwall, Jon Washburn, and Charles Bruffy.
The Phoenix Chorale aims to be the preeminent model for American choral music by redefining standards of excellence and its mission is to enrich life through excellence and distinction in choral artistry.
