Missouri Women's Chorus

In the autumn of 2010, several women who had sung together in other groups gathered to establish the Missouri Women's Chorus and had the very good fortune to engage Scott Schoonover as Artistic Director. Auditions were held in January, 2011 to form the first group of 24 singers in the Chorus and work began immediately on our first concert.

The first of two a capella concerts held during 2011 occurred on May 1, performed at Union Avenue Christian Church, St. Louis, Missouri. Titled Amore, Sacred and Profane, this concert explored the theme of love in both sacred and secular contexts and featured early Spanish works, 16-century madrigals, Brahms part-songs and contemporary motets. The second concert of 2011 was held on December 3 at Christ Church Cathedral in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. Titled Mystic Nativity, this was a Christmas concert comprised of works devoted to the figure of the Virgin Mary, and the performance was enthusiastically received by a standing-room-only audience.

Our first concert of 2012 was held on May 6 at The Chapel for the Arts in Clayton, Missouri. Two back-to-back performances allowed us to accommodate our audience at this small venue. In a more relaxed setting, where listeners could enjoy a glass of wine or other beverage, we sang of Fair Phyllis and Other Naughty Shepherdesses: A Renaissance Cabaret. We were fortunate to be accompanied by local artists Tracy Andreotti on cello, Mary McKenney on recorder and Jeff Noonan on lute.

All members (and interested newcomers!) must audition each January for the upcoming season. Auditions involve exercises to determine range, tonal memory, sight reading, and the performance of a short piece that is sent out a few days before the audition.

The Missouri Women's Chorus is a 501.c.3 organization registered in the State of Missouri. Donations to the Chorus are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.