Our Mission
Begun in 1988 with only eight voices, Kirkland Choral Society today is one of the premier symphonic adult choral groups in the Puget Sound region, featuring approximately 100 highly skilled, auditioned singers. We celebrate a love of choral music, connecting diverse voices in song to create outstanding musical experiences for both our members and our audiences. We perform three concerts per season at venues such as Bastyr University Chapel, Edmonds Performing Arts Center, St. Mark's Cathedral, and Benaroya Hall.
At KCS, our mission is to create and sustain a community where the power of choral music uplifts and unites all people and voices. Our concert repertoire emphasizes the great classical masterworks for chorus and orchestra while also featuring exciting works from a wide variety of other musical eras and genres, including by thought-provoking contemporary composers. In recent years, KCS has commissioned and performed the world premiere of new works by Kirke Mechem, Ola Gjeilo, Carol Barnett, Donald Skirvin, John Muehleisen, and Dale Trumbore.
At KCS, our mission is to create and sustain a community where the power of choral music uplifts and unites all people and voices. Our concert repertoire emphasizes the great classical masterworks for chorus and orchestra while also featuring exciting works from a wide variety of other musical eras and genres, including by thought-provoking contemporary composers. In recent years, KCS has commissioned and performed the world premiere of new works by Kirke Mechem, Ola Gjeilo, Carol Barnett, Donald Skirvin, John Muehleisen, and Dale Trumbore.
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
We strive to make classical choral music accessible and appealing to everyone, of all backgrounds, both inside and outside our organization. We reach out broadly across the Eastside to attract as many qualified singers as possible from all walks of life, with a core KCS value being that anyone with a successful audition can join us, no matter their economic circumstances. We make free or reduced-cost concert tickets available for children, students, seniors, and groups, and we keep the cost of full-price tickets as low as possible.
KCS’s programming reflects our commitment to cultural and musical diversity and inclusion as well. Our programs regularly feature numerous compositions by women, and we align our February “love” concerts with Black History Month, showcasing composers of color and Black perspectives. Our December concerts joyfully reflect the multicultural history of the season, celebrating Hanukkah, the winter solstice, and secular holiday traditions alongside Christmas music from different eras and countries.
KCS’s programming reflects our commitment to cultural and musical diversity and inclusion as well. Our programs regularly feature numerous compositions by women, and we align our February “love” concerts with Black History Month, showcasing composers of color and Black perspectives. Our December concerts joyfully reflect the multicultural history of the season, celebrating Hanukkah, the winter solstice, and secular holiday traditions alongside Christmas music from different eras and countries.
Partnerships & Community Engagement
Kirkland Choral Society has maintained a performance partnership since 2011 with one of the Seattle area’s finest community orchestras, Philharmonia Northwest, and also collaborates regularly with Lake Washington High School choir students, local youth choirs, professional guest musicians, and acclaimed regional and national soloists. The KCS Chamber Singers, an ensemble drawn from the larger chorus, performs smaller-scale works, often a cappella, at smaller venues and community events.
A KCS ensemble may be available to perform at your civic or corporate event! Email inquiries to [email protected].
A KCS ensemble may be available to perform at your civic or corporate event! Email inquiries to [email protected].
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.
Contact Information:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 425-442-9240
Mail: 6513 132nd Ave NE PMB 245, Kirkland, WA 98033
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 425-442-9240
Mail: 6513 132nd Ave NE PMB 245, Kirkland, WA 98033
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Kirkland Choral Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the State of Washington and holds 501(c)(3) federal nonprofit status, Federal Tax ID 32-0028511.
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