Today we’d like to introduce you to Houston Lutheran Chorale.
Houston Lutheran Chorale, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The Houston Lutheran Chorale is composed of members from many congregations of the Lutheran Church in the Houston and surrounding area. Rehearsals are held on scheduled Sunday afternoons at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 306 East 15th St in The Heights, under the direction of Jeff Armstrong.
The Chorale was founded in 1985 under the direction of Metford Mountford after he was approached about providing music for the opening worship service for that year’s LCMS Texas District Convention. Deciding that singing was an excellent way to witness to the love of Jesus and also a great deal of fun, the group asked Met if he would continue to direct them. The Houston Lutheran Chorale was born.
In the years from its formation the group carried the Gospel “in song” throughout Texas as well as California, Michigan, Illinois, and Missouri. The Chorale toured Germany, France, and Scotland and participated in festivals in Coventry, England and Salzburg, Austria. The singers were also included in NBC Christmas Specials in 1986 and 1988. In 1991 the Chorale performed Puccini’s Messa di Gloria in Carnegie Hall, New York City. 1995 saw the group participating in the Salzburg Church Music Festival in Salzburg, Austria. In June of 2000, the singers took part in the International Church Music Festival in Coventry, England as one of the featured Chorales. Under the direction of world renowned master conductor Sir David Willcocks, they joined in a concert by over 500 singers from around the world. The concert was broadcast across Britain on BBC.
The Chorale has sung at the Sunday services of several churches in the area, including Pearland, Katy, Beaumont, and Spring, as well as other cities in the region. The Chorale has been featured at many special services and programs. In December 2009, the Christmas concerts celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Chorale with an Alumni Choir performing to the delight of all in attendance. March 2010 found the Chorale assisting in the commemoration service celebrating 30 years of Lutheran High North. In November of that year the group was honored to be part of the Trinity Lutheran-Klein Concert Series.
In June of 2011, 37 singers took its first singing tour under the leadership of Jason Mangels. A weekend trip was planned and the members chartered a bus for the trip which found them singing in San Antonio on Friday evening and Georgetown on Saturday. On the return trip to Houston, the group sang at the Sunday morning service at St. Michael Lutheran in Winchester. The following year found the Chorale returning to St. Michael in Winchester to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the church.
From 2006 to 2013, the Chorale hosted an annual Oktoberfest which was a major fundraiser for the group and treated guests to an evening of homemade German food, beer, and music.
In 2014, Jason accepted a call to teach in Phoenix. J.D. Struckman served as director for the remainder of the 2014 season until 2016. Kerry Talley joined the Chorale as Director in 2016, and in October 2017, the group performed during the unified 500-year celebration of the Reformation. Kerry planned to retire after the July 4th concert in 2020, but the Chorale went on hiatus in March of that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chorale began rehearsals after the pandemic in August 2022 and continues today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road! We have had changes in Directors, and of course, the pandemic! We are constantly striving to increase our numbers, but the pandemic really took its toll. Even though we are a much smaller group than in the beginning, our focus remains the same. We like to say that we are a small but mighty and happy group! Hopefully our joy comes through in every song we sing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Our Mission: To Spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Song and Music.
This has always been our primary focus. As individuals, we love the challenge of the more difficult pieces that we present as a Chorale. Many of us do not have “formal” voice training but we have had some amazing Directors that manage to get absolutely the best out of each of us. We have remained true to our Mission for 40 years! We believe that that dedication and persistence combined with the joy of singing sets us apart from others. We don’t just sing for ourselves, but for everyone that comes and spends their precious time to listen to our concerts.
Two years ago, we started a new concert series for Lent. It was a beautiful, emotional cantata that was a pleasure to sing and share. The audiences seemed moved by the message. We are continuing with our Lenten cantata this year as well in March.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
For being so large and spread out, each area has its own “personality”, and we do enjoy going to different locations to sing and share our message. Houston has so much to do and see, whether in large venues or smaller settings. We would encourage everyone to take the time, go explore and see something new and different!
UGH – the traffic! That’s not really original and is probably not the first time it’s ever been mentioned. Houston and the surrounding areas have so much to offer that the traffic can be intimidating to those that would like to venture out.
Pricing:
- No, all our concerts are free to attend and we love seeing new people at our events.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hlc-tx.org
- Facebook: Houston Lutheran Chorale
