Mission Statement
The Lancaster City Choir is dedicated to delivering diverse and engaging choral experiences for our audiences and performers with a focus on exceptional quality, musicality, and community. We are a choir of citizens who believe in the essential value of music for everyone.

Who We Are
The Lancaster City Choir is a newly established professional choral ensemble of Lancaster County. Under the leadership of artistic director Ashley Walker and business director Justine Madonna, the LCC continues to dazzle audiences with its unique blend of musical sophistication and virtuosity. The 35 member ensemble consists of young men and women focused on performing international repertoire, and first-premiere works.

Maintaining an active local touring schedule, the LCC has performed with outstanding musicians including Amy Yovanovich, Kristen Sims, New Age Brass, and "Ghost House". Recently, the choir recorded its first Christmas album entitled "Gloria" and is currently working on their second production "Come together" featuring music of the Beatles. This summer the LCC will continue to perform around the county including a performance at Church of the Apostles on June 12, where the choir rehearses Sunday evenings. Lancaster City Choir is proud to perform new exciting repertoire with the finest local musicians and present new works to eager audience members like you. If you would like to become a patron of the choir or make a donation, please contact Justine Madonna, at justine.madonna@lancastercitychoir.com.

The Lancaster City Choir was established to provide all-encompassing and unforgettable choral experiences for its audiences and performers. We are known for our innovative programming engaging the old and young, the sophisticated and the first-time listener, as well as those interested in learning the fundamentals of vocal performance and understanding diverse cultures and periods. From the moment the patron or the performer comes in contact with this ensemble, we appeal to more than just the ear by providing engrossing diverse programs, along with the visual stimulation through creative means that enable the participant to experience the music through multiple senses. The choral experience we provide includes a strong component of education, both for patrons in attendance at concerts and for students who will become the future singers and supporters of the LCC. We are a diverse group of men and women who care passionately about our community and the quality of our vocal sound. We believe every person has the unequivocal right to perform at a level which speaks on their character and ability. Our efforts are enhanced by the participation of musicians, performers, instrumentalists, teachers, and students all dedicated to developing vocal technique, leadership in each section, and partnership-networks throughout our city, devoted to bringing our people together.

Guiding Principles
We are committed to:

  • Creating all-encompassing choral experiences for our audiences and performers
  • Reaching out to all parts of the community to attract singers, employees, volunteers, and audiences
  • Producing the highest caliber musical performances, technically and artistically
  • Attracting, developing and retaining the best singers and instrumentalists in the region as members of our choral community
  • Performing music that challenges us and inspires our audiences
  • Engaging exceptional guest artists and composers
  • Recognizing the high value of each persons' contribution to the organization
  • Maintaining a high level of professionalism in our musicianship and in all aspects of our organization
  • Constantly developing our musicianship individually and as a group
  • Empowering our members to fulfill their musical potential
  • Working together in a manner that is engaging and productive
  • Operating with fiscal integrity

What We Believe
(The following is taken from the "Creed" of The Collegiate Chorale, Robert Shaw, conductor)

We Believe...
That in a world of political, economic and personal disintegrations music is not a luxury but a necessity -- not simply because it is "therapeutic," nor because it is the "universal language", but because it is the persistent focus of man's intelligence, aspiration and good-will.

We Believe...
That music is always a community enterprise. The solo performance does not exist.  Even its creations is an attempt to communicate, and every performance an effort to unite the minds of men even of different generations.

We Believe...
That music is one art. The chorus, the symphony orchestra, the virtuoso recitalist and the string quartet are not competitive "attractions" for the public fashion in patronage, but are instruments of a single craft with similar responsibilities. 

We Believe...
That music is peculiarly a doer's art, and its benefits are in direct proportions to active participation.

We Believe...
That it is the performer's business to get out of the way of music.  His craft is to "reveal -- not to interpret."

We Believe...
That the choral art stands in a unique position to be of service to man and music because it offers the most immediate and accessible avenue of active participation. And we believe that the choral instrument should assume a position of respect and musical responsibility to this city, and as an ambassador of song to anyone and everyone. 
 
© 2010 - 2012 Lancaster City Choir