Welcome! Whether you’re new to choral music or a longtime concertgoer, we’ve gathered answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about choral music, ticketing, and what to expect when attending a Phoenix Chorale performance. Find answers to common questions below, and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, our Box Office is happy to help.
Choral music is music that is written for and sung by a choir with voices assigned to different ranges. This is a large umbrella term.
Choral music of western tradition began in the convents and monasteries of medieval Europe. The vast majority of choral music was written before 1900, often estimated at 80% or more. The heavy association between choral music and religion comes down to financial patronage and historical survival. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the Catholic Church and wealthy aristocracy were the only entities with the resources to fund formal choirs, commission large-scale compositions, and preserve written sheet music. This is a contributing factor to the vast choral repertoire religious in nature.
Choral music is sung by a choir. Chorale, as in Phoenix Chorale, (sounds like “kr·al”) is an alternative name for a choir or chorus. While “choir,” “chorale,” and “ensemble” are often used interchangeably, they have distinct musical definitions.
No. Much of what Phoenix Chorale sings is sacred even though the organization (and registered 501c3 nonprofit), is not religiously affiliated. Religious music was designed to be in service of transcendence and connection with serenity and the divine. In today’s modern and hectic world, we can understand the desire to observe peace and connection to personal spiritual experiences through emotional live performances.
Since 2019, the Chorale has run its Women Composers Commissioning Series, commissioning and premiering one new work each season from a significant living woman composer to promote repertoire diversity and showcase top composers. Past composers include:
Professional choirs consist of paid, highly skilled vocalists while other types of choirs, such as community choirs are volunteer-based, often with mixed level skill sets prioritizing the joy of singing. The Phoenix Chorale holds equivalent artistic standards in choral music as other professional arts institutions such as the Symphony, Opera, and Ballet in their art forms.
Professional singers are highly trained and versatile artists who create performances of technical agility and great emotional impact. Their skills can bring to life every intention of a composer and the ability to tackle some of the most daring material. Their capacity to listen results in an incredible blend of voices. As the music shifts and evolves, singers continuously adjust their pitch, balance, and tone, creating a level of clarity, precision, and nuance audiences can hear. Professional ensembles can also perform repertoire that features demanding solo passages, allowing audiences to hear exceptional vocal artistry from singers who are equally accomplished as soloists and ensemble musicians.
Unlike other forms of art, music, and particularly live music, only exists as originally intended for the duration of a performance. Therefore, an encounter with expertly trained artists performing masterworks, premieres, and obscure pieces can be a transcendent encounter of the art form in the way the composer designed for it to be heard. This reasoning also underscores venue decision: many churches are particularly resonant for choral works.
Music is an essential part of human life and studies have shown that music benefits individuals both in health and disease. In addition, in a spontaneous and effortless way, music can trigger memories, awake emotions and intensify social bonding. Live performances are an opportunity for profound shared human experiences.
Through choral music you can time travel unlike any other art form. Choral music provides the closest ability for our senses to experience and come alive with something that is hundreds of years old. Centuries old music is a historical account of life during that period which was likely short and hard. The music written in monasteries, courts and taverns helped people experience the joys and travesties of pestilence, constant wars and good harvests.
The human condition has never changed and we can utilize ancient music to find parallels, echoes and understand in our own life. Further, music created today is impacted by historical discoveries and traditions of music. To honor the history and legacy of musical influences is to unlock a greater understanding of the artform.
It is the music of the times we live in now. Living composers are writing for the original musical instrument, the voice, and responding to the world around them.Experiencing new music allows us to engage with art that reflects our own era and experiences. Rather than only looking back, we also have the opportunity to hear how today’s composers are interpreting the world around them. We embrace those feeding our artform today and are curious about what they are creating.
Creating new classical music is essential in keeping choral music alive and dynamic. It ensures the genre reflects modern human experiences, bridges classical instrumentation with modern production, and supports living composers and artists.
The Box Office is open Monday – Friday 10AM-4PM and can be reached by calling 602.253.2224 or by sending an email to info@phoenixchorale.org.
To purchase tickets online, please visit phoenixchorale.org/concerts/. You may also purchase tickets by calling the Box Office at 602.253.2224. It is recommended to call the Box Office for Season Subscriptions and Add-on ticket purchases.
Season Subscriptions offer the best way to experience the season while enjoying added flexibility and added benefits. Subscribers may choose a package that includes all four concerts, or create a package with three or two concerts. Subscriber benefits include premium seating closest to the front at concerts, dedicated entrances and ticketless entry, free ticket exchanges, and access to additional add-on tickets for guests to sit in the premium section with you. For details, please visit the Subscriptions page. Single Tickets are available for individual performances throughout the season. Seating is located behind the subscriber section and is offered as general admission.
No. All Phoenix Chorale performances feature general admission, open seating. Season Subscribers receive priority seating in premium rows closest to the front. General admission seating follows directly behind the Subscriber section.
Parking information varies by venue.The most current parking information and venue-specific instructions will be shared in Phoenix Chorale emails leading up to each performance. Valet parking is available at performances held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Guests may also wish to use rideshare services such as Uber, Lyft, or Waymo to simplify arrival and departure.
Give yourself enough time to park and pick up your tickets from Will Call if necessary. The Box Office opens 30 minutes prior to the concert start.
Late arrivals will be seated by ushers after the first and second pieces only during clapping breaks.
Performance length varies by concert series, but most Phoenix Chorale performances run approximately 90 to 120 minutes, including a 20-minute intermission.
Tickets delivery options include: First Class Mail, E-tickets, or Will-Call. E-tickets are delivered as a PDF to your inbox and may be presented on a mobile device for scanning upon entry. Tickets may also be printed at home, which is especially helpful if members of your party plan to arrive separately. First-class mail and Will-Call orders are subject to a $2.50 processing fee.
Short answer: NO. Please purchase all tickets directly through phoenixchorale.org.
Exceptions: Phoenix Chorale occasionally partners with reputable organizations such as Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts or MIM Music Theater. On such occasions tickets must be purchased directly through said partner organizations. Phoenix Chorale will explicitly share instructions to purchase tickets for these collaborations.
Occasionally tickets are also listed through Eventbrite. When purchasing tickets through Eventbrite, tickets issued from the Phoenix Chorale Box Office are still mandatory. If you purchase tickets through Eventbrite, please contact Phoenix Chorale to redeem Phoenix Chorale issued E-tickets.
First, check your spam or promotions folders, as ticket emails may occasionally be filtered outside your primary inbox. You can also search your email for “Phoenix Chorale” to locate your ticket confirmation. If you still cannot find your tickets, please contact the Box Office at info@phoenixchorale.org or 602-253-2224, and a member of our staff will assist you. Season Subscribers may also provide their full name at the dedicated subscriber entrance at Phoenix Chorale performances for convenient ticketless entry.
All ticket sales are final. No refunds will be issued. See next topic for exchange options.
All ticket sales are final and no refunds will be issued. However, ticket holders who are unable to attend a performance are welcome to share their tickets with someone else to attend on their behalf, exchange for a different concert date within the same series, or donate the tickets back to Phoenix Chorale. Donated tickets are used to support student rush tickets or accommodate waitlisted patrons for sold-out performances.
Yes. Tickets may be exchanged for another performance within the same concert series, based on availability. Exchange requests must be submitted at least two business days prior to the original performance date. A $2.50 processing fee applies to all exchanges and is waived for Season Subscribers. Tickets may not be exchanged to a different concert series or for special events. All sales are final. To request a ticket exchange, please contact the Box Office at 602-253-2224 or info@phoenixchorale.org. Approved exchange example: tickets may be exchanged from a Saturday evening performance to a Sunday matinee within the same concert series if available. Tickets cannot be exchanged from one concert series to another such as from A Chorale Christmas in December to Chant and Polyphony in April. All exchanges must be completed at least two business days prior to the scheduled performance.
All tickets are subject to a $2.50 convenience fee which helps cover credit card processing and ticketing platform costs. In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s All-In Pricing requirements, all mandatory fees are now included in the displayed ticket price upfront. While the presentation of pricing may look different, Phoenix Chorale’s ticketing fees have not increased.
Youth: Under age 16
Adults: 18+
Military: Active or retired. This is an honor system, please respectfully participate.
Seniors: Age 65 and older. This is an honor system, please respectfully participate.
Student rush: $5 tickets for students age 17+ with valid ID one hour before curtain time. Based on availability and venue exclusions apply.
Seniors: Patrons age 65 and older are eligible for approximately 10% off single tickets by selecting the Senior ticket option during checkout.
Military: Active-duty and retired military members are eligible for approximately 10% off single tickets by selecting the Military ticket option during checkout.
Early Bird Discount: a ~10% discount available for season subscriptions purchased during the annual early bird period – please visit the Subscriptions page on our website for further details.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday: One-day only discounts available in November. Details and restrictions apply, please sign up for our newsletter for announcements.
Phoenix Chorale also participates in the following community programs:
VetTix – Tickets for Troops
Act One Culture Pass
Please visit the Community Outreach page to learn more.
We honor a 10% discount for groups of 10 people or more, to any concert, excluding Brophy Chapel. Group rates are available for adult general admission tickets only. To secure a group rate, please contact the Box Office. For student groups, please see the Student Ticket Program topic below.
Phoenix Chorale offers discounted student ticket opportunities for middle and high school aged students. Student group tickets must be arranged in advance and are available for $5 per student and $10 per chaperone. Organizing teachers receive one complimentary ticket for every 10 students attending. Students attending Title I schools qualify for complimentary admission for students and organizing teachers and chaperones, subject to venue availability and restrictions. For school or group attendance, tickets may be reserved under a single name and held at Will Call. To arrange Student Group Tickets, please contact the Box Office.
Student Rush tickets are tickets made available to students 17+ with valid ID. Student rush tickets are $5 each, based on availability and exclude Brophy Chapel. Student Rush tickets are only available for purchase day-of directly through the Box Office at each venue.
Phoenix Chorale staff and ushers are available at each performance to assist with questions and patron needs. If you have questions prior to a performance, please contact Patron Services at 602-253-2224 or info@phoenixchorale.org. We look forward to welcoming you to the performance.
As a courtesy to the performers and your fellow patrons, please silence all mobile phones, watch alarms, or other electronic devices prior to the concert. Please refrain from talking, coughing, or unwrapping candy during the performance.
No prior knowledge is required to enjoy a Phoenix Chorale performance. However, exploring the program in advance can deepen your experience and provide additional context for the music you will hear. As performances approach, program details and repertoire information is shared on the Concert Page and through the Phoenix Chorale newsletter. These materials may include information on composers to know, historical context, interviews, and insights into the artistic themes explored throughout each concert series.
Audience members are welcome to applaud throughout the performance. Some larger musical works, however, are made up of multiple connected sections, often called movements, that are intended to be performed without interruption. In these cases, it is customary to wait until the conclusion of the full work before applauding. A helpful cue is when the conductor turns to face the audience following the final movement. These works are typically noted in the program book, and the conductor may also mention them during opening remarks. Unless otherwise indicated, brief applause between selections is welcome.
Yes. Unlike many other organizations, we tell audience members to silence their devices but not turn them off. Capturing a few seconds of video or photograph as a memory is welcome, as long as you are not disturbing your neighbors in the audience. Please be mindful that light and noise from mobile devices may disrupt performers and fellow audience members during the performance. Please, no flash.
We encourage you to be present for the performance and not let your phone experience the concert for you.
Many Phoenix Chorale performances are recorded in partnership with Central Sound at Arizona PBS. Select performances may later be broadcast on KBACH, Classical Arizona PBS (DTV 8.5), KNAU Arizona Public Radio, or KUAT. Broadcast schedules vary, and Phoenix Chorale cannot guarantee if or when a performance will air. When broadcast information becomes available, the Chorale will share publicly when possible. Notice of Consent: By entering the event, you consent to be photographed, filmed, and recorded. Your entry constitutes your permission for us to use your likeness, voice, and name in any media, for promotional and archival purposes, without compensation. If you do not agree, please do not enter.
Many choral performances are presented in churches and cathedrals because these spaces were designed with acoustics that naturally enhance ensemble singing. Their high ceilings and reverberant architecture allow voices to blend with exceptional warmth and clarity. Phoenix Chorale utilizes these venues for their acoustic qualities, just as other performing arts organizations select venues that best support the audience experience. All are welcome at every performance, regardless of religious background or affiliation. Religious attire is not expected. Please note that, in accordance with venue policies, only water is permitted inside sanctuary spaces during performances. Phoenix Chorale also performs in secular venues throughout the season.
Yes and no. In general, performances are best suited for children ages 7 and older who are comfortable sitting through approximately 50 minutes of performance at a time before or after intermission. Because our audiences typically include older youth and adults, and many performances take place in intimate acoustic spaces, we encourage families with young children to carefully consider the concert environment before attending. Lap children are discouraged. Guests attending with younger children are encouraged to arrive early and select seating near the back of the venue for easier access to exits if needed during the performance. Many performances are also recorded for broadcast, and excessive noise may affect the recording process. When possible, recorded performances are identified on the concert event page.
Open rehearsals are free public events that offer audiences an early look into the preparation and artistic process behind upcoming performances. Held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Phoenix, these informal rehearsals allow guests to observe the Chorale at work and experience the musical development of a program in real time. Guests are welcome to arrive and depart as needed. No tickets or reservations are required. Dates and additional details are available on the Phoenix Chorale website via the Community Outreach page.
Yes!
Food and beverage policies vary by venue. At many of our church venues, only water is permitted inside the sanctuary or performance space. Some secular venues may allow beverages purchased on-site to be brought into the theater. Please refer to the hosting venue’s policies or contact the Box Office before your visit if you have questions.
There is no dress code for Phoenix Chorale performances. Guests typically wear anything from casual to business casual attire. For galas or other special events, any recommended attire will be noted in advance. As many of our performances take place in churches and other sacred spaces, we encourage guests to dress respectfully and comfortably.
All Phoenix Chorale performances venues are ADA compliant. Accessible seating accommodations are available at all venues.
Phoenix Chorale performances feature general admission seating, and accessible seating accommodations are available at all venues. During the checkout process, please indicate if you require wheelchair, walker, or other mobility access accommodations. Availability of accessible seating varies by venue. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs. For additional assistance or specific accessibility questions, please contact the Box Office directly.
Choral performances are generally less visually stimulating than many other performing arts events, making them a comfortable experience for many patrons. We recommend selecting an aisle seat or a seat near an exit if you may need to step out during the performance. Our ushers are happy to help identify seating that best meets your needs.
Other opportunities to consider: Open rehearsals offer a more informal experience with pauses throughout the rehearsal process and the flexibility to enter and exit as needed.
Our concert programs all include large-print text. At some venues, projected lyrics and text may also be provided. If there are additional accommodations that would enhance your concert experience, please contact the Box Office in advance and we will do our best to assist.
We encourage patrons to contact the Box Office in advance so we can help identify appropriate seating and accommodate any venue-specific considerations. Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted unless otherwise required by law.
Please contact the Box Office before your visit. Because we perform in a variety of venues throughout the Valley, accommodations may vary by location, and we are happy to discuss your individual needs.