Phoenix Chorale Announces 2025–2026 Season: A Year of Discovery, Collaboration, and Celebration
PHOENIX, AZ – Phoenix Chorale, Arizona’s GRAMMY®-winning professional vocal ensemble, has announced its 2025–2026 concert season, presenting four stunning choral programs, a studio album recording, and a spring fundraising gala. This season celebrates the power of voice through cross-cultural storytelling, musical innovation, and the enduring beauty of choral artistry.
“Our commitment to programming works by women composers continues on a grand scale this January, as we return to Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts with orchestra featuring contemporary voices like Anna Thorvaldsdottir and Rebecca Dale. More broadly, our dedication to presenting the very best in choral music—with energy, focus, and passion—remains undimmed. We’re grateful to have you with us on this ongoing musical journey.” —Christopher Gabbitas, Artistic Director
Season subscriptions for 2, 3 & 4 packages start at $89 and are now available at phoenixchorale.org.
2025–2026 CONCERT SEASON
DRAW ON, SWEET NIGHT
Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 3:00 PM | Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Sunday, November 9, 2025 | 3:00 PM | Camelback Bible Church
This charming a cappella program highlights milestone anniversaries of choral legends—from John Rutter’s 80th to the timeless genius of Palestrina (500th), Ravel (150th), and Saint-Saëns (190th). The program features Rutter’s Birthday Madrigals, Renaissance gems, and French chanson, all culminating in a tribute to the art of musical storytelling.
A CHORALE CHRISTMAS
Friday, December 19 | 7:30 PM | Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (with post-concert reception)
Saturday, December 20 | 3:00 PM | Camelback Bible Church
Sunday, December 21 | 3:00 PM | Brophy Chapel
Monday, December 22 | 7:30 PM | First United Methodist Church, Mesa
Guest conductor Dr. Edith Copley—a nationally respected educator and choral leader—brings her warmth and artistry to this holiday favorite. “I am so honored for the opportunity to conduct the incredibly talented singers in the Phoenix Chorale this December,” says Copley. “The program will include holiday favorites, some challenging new works, and audience sing-alongs. The Phoenix Chorale is an Arizona treasure, and I’m so excited to share the stage with them.”
Dr. Copley is Regents’ Professor Emerita from Northern Arizona University and current National President of the American Choral Directors Association. Her accolades include the 2025 Arizona Choral Educators Lifetime Achievement Award.
TRANSCENDENCE
January 24, 2026 | 7:30 PM
January 25, 2026 | 2:00 PM
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Phoenix Chorale makes a much-anticipated return to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts with Transcendence, a powerful choral-orchestral program that showcases the ensemble’s rich, resonant sound in one of the Valley’s most esteemed venues. The program features the work of international composers including the elemental intensity of Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s “Ad Genua,” the expansive beauty of Ola Gjeilo’s “The Road” (Phoenix Chorale’s former Composer-in-Residence), and lyrical works by Arvo Pärt and Rachmaninoff. Highlighting the concert will be US Premiere of “When Music Sounds” by British composer Rebecca Dale, known for her evocative film and television scores. Symphonic in scope and emotional depth, Transcendence is a sonic journey through the evocative landscapes of contemporary classical music.
CHANT AND POLYPHONY
Saturday, March 21, 2026 | 7:30 PM |Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (with post-concert reception)
Sunday, March 22, 2026 | 3:00 PM | Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Where sacred tradition meets emotional truth, Chant and Polyphony invites listeners into the heart of the choral art form. Phoenix Chorale joins forces with guest ensemble Floriani, a Phoenix-based male vocal quartet specializing in Gregorian chant and the revival of sacred liturgical music. Together, they offer a meditative, a cappella program that traces the origins and enduring beauty of sacred choral music. Performed in the reverent setting of Trinity Cathedral, these thoughtfully curated performances offer a rare opportunity to experience serenity through the purity of the unaccompanied human voice.
Additional Season Highlights
NEW ALBUM RECORDING – Phoenix Chorale returns to the studio in September 2025 to record a new album of American music for release next year. The album will be part of the 250th celebrations of the United States. Details to be announced.
PHOENIX CHORALE GALA – Save the date: March 14, 2026 for the next celebration of song and community. Stay tuned for theme and venue.
For tickets and subscriptions, click here.
About Phoenix Chorale
As the only internationally-recognized professional choral ensemble in the Valley, the Grammy® Award-winning Phoenix Chorale showcases the expert talents of Arizona’s highly-trained and versatile singers, in performances celebrated for their technical agility and emotional impact.
Founded in 1958 and professionalized in 1992, Phoenix Chorale is regarded as one of the finest choral ensembles in North America of the western classical tradition and has been led since 2019 by British Artistic Director Christopher Gabbitas.
Phoenix Chorale continues to earn international recognition through its acclaimed recordings. Recent releases since 2024 on Signum Records have been described by Gramophone as “expertly blended,” “enviably smooth and sumptuous” by BBC Music and “imaginatively programmed and meticulously sung” by The Arts Desk.