Please join Kirkland Choral Society in welcoming
Dr. Brennan Michaels as our new Artistic Director!
KCS is delighted to announce the completion of our Artistic Director search and the appointment of Dr. Brennan Michaels to the role.
Dr. Michaels holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from Michigan State University, a Master of Music degree in conducting from Baylor University, and a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal music education from Concordia College. His teachers have included David Rayl, Jerry McCoy, Alan Raines, Lynne Gackle, and René Clausen.
Among many other notable accomplishments, Dr. Michaels has taught at universities in Michigan, Texas, and Washington and is an active adjudicator, clinician, and presenter across the country. He has sung with and served as Artistic Director of the Minneapolis chamber choir From Age to Age, and has served on many choral organization boards and committees. He has been selected to participate in domestic and international conducting masterclasses, most notably as a Conducting Fellow in Chorus America’s Conducting Academy. He is currently Director of Worship at Bellevue Presbyterian Church, where he conducts the Sanctuary Chorus, the Pneuma ensemble, and the Festival Orchestra and Brass.
“It’s a tremendous privilege to step into the role of Artistic Director with Kirkland Choral Society,” Dr. Michaels shares. “I’m excited to collaborate with this talented ensemble and bring compelling, meaningful choral experiences to the Puget Sound community. After working with the choir this past fall, I quickly discovered that KCS members are not just singers—they are choral artists who embody the mission to bring beauty, love, and joy to the world. Love and musical excellence are truly the foundations of Kirkland Choral Society, and I can’t wait to reach both longtime and new audiences together!”
KCS’s inaugural concerts with Dr. Brennan Michaels as Artistic Director will take place this December. Please plan to join us for this very special milestone in the life of our choir!
Dr. Brennan Michaels as our new Artistic Director!
KCS is delighted to announce the completion of our Artistic Director search and the appointment of Dr. Brennan Michaels to the role.
Dr. Michaels holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from Michigan State University, a Master of Music degree in conducting from Baylor University, and a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal music education from Concordia College. His teachers have included David Rayl, Jerry McCoy, Alan Raines, Lynne Gackle, and René Clausen.
Among many other notable accomplishments, Dr. Michaels has taught at universities in Michigan, Texas, and Washington and is an active adjudicator, clinician, and presenter across the country. He has sung with and served as Artistic Director of the Minneapolis chamber choir From Age to Age, and has served on many choral organization boards and committees. He has been selected to participate in domestic and international conducting masterclasses, most notably as a Conducting Fellow in Chorus America’s Conducting Academy. He is currently Director of Worship at Bellevue Presbyterian Church, where he conducts the Sanctuary Chorus, the Pneuma ensemble, and the Festival Orchestra and Brass.
“It’s a tremendous privilege to step into the role of Artistic Director with Kirkland Choral Society,” Dr. Michaels shares. “I’m excited to collaborate with this talented ensemble and bring compelling, meaningful choral experiences to the Puget Sound community. After working with the choir this past fall, I quickly discovered that KCS members are not just singers—they are choral artists who embody the mission to bring beauty, love, and joy to the world. Love and musical excellence are truly the foundations of Kirkland Choral Society, and I can’t wait to reach both longtime and new audiences together!”
KCS’s inaugural concerts with Dr. Brennan Michaels as Artistic Director will take place this December. Please plan to join us for this very special milestone in the life of our choir!
Our 2024-25 concert season has concluded. Thank you for your patronage!
Check back this fall to learn about our new 2025-26 lineup of concerts under Dr. Brennan Michaels.
Check back this fall to learn about our new 2025-26 lineup of concerts under Dr. Brennan Michaels.
Performance Videos
Highlights from past seasons:
Part One of our 2023 holiday concert with Philharmonia Northwest, featuring choruses from Handel’s Messiah:
Part Two of our 2023 holiday concert, featuring works by Reena Esmail, Dale Trumbore, Florence Price, Sally Beamish, Ola Gjeilo, Alvin Trotman, and Jerry Rubino. We were joined for two selections by the Lyrica Choir from Lake Washington High School:
Our 2022 holiday concert featured Bach’s Magnificat and Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols. KCS was joined by our orchestra partner Philharmonia Northwest:
During the pandemic, KCS produced this virtual recording of “O Love,” composed by Elaine Hagenberg and based on a hymn by George Matheson:
Click here to enjoy KCS's performance of Verdi’s Requiem at Benaroya Hall!
Click here to see a compilation of other recent performances.
