Choirs
Choirs at MacPhail Center for Music
Provide group music training, education, and performance opportunities to inspire and encourage excellent musicianship.
Offerings include both auditioned and open opportunities.
Connecting Voices
Connecting Voices Chorus is a unique and joy-filled choral experience is for people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. During weekly rehearsals, we join in singing old and new songs, learning vocal technique and ensemble skills, sharing musical memories and building community, supporting each other in life’s journey.
Chorus opportunities are offered at MacPhail Minneapolis and Lyngblomsten at Lino Lakes.
No vocal experience is required, just a love of singing!
MacPhail Community Youth Choir (MCYC)
This tuition free choir brings together youth in grades 5-12 throughout the Twin Cities area for music and friendship. The choir is led by Twin Cities artist J.D. Steele, of the famous Steele Family, who brings his dynamic style and passion for music to the group, which is free and open to students of all skill levels and talents. This group of energetic young people performs many styles of music including jazz, gospel, pop and multi-cultural genres.
To learn how you can be a part of MCYC, contact Heather VanderLey via email.
MacPhail Chamber Choir
MacPhail Center for Music and Minnesota Chorale are pleased to announce the MacPhail Chamber Choir, a new choir experience for committed adult vocalists. A key aspect of this choir experience is to sing side-by-side with members of the esteemed Minnesota Chorale leading up to performance. Experienced section leaders will be present at rehearsals to assist and teach choir members in a positive, nurturing manner. The philosophy of this choir centers around the enjoyment of choral singing, improving the skills and abilities of the choir members, and building community.
Voices of Experience
Celebrate Minnesota’s rich choral tradition and be a part of a partnership between MacPhail and the Minnesota Chorale. The Voices of Experience Choir is for adults over the age of 55 who want to be a part of a community of musicians, singing a variety of choral repertoire from genres such as classical, popular, folk and jazz.
Singers must be able to match pitch at an informal check with the director. Previous choral experience and the ability to read music or a strong ability to learn by ear is preferred.
Mill City Singers
The Mill City Singers, a community choir, brings together anyone who is interested in singing. There are no requirements to join. Everyone is invited. All you need is a love of singing and an interest in being part of this dynamic group. The group boasts over 376 singers on its roster.
The group is led by J.D. Steele, an acclaimed Minneapolis-based singer and songwriter who has performed with Prince, sung on Broadway, and led choirs since he was a teenager. Steele, along with his brother Fred on piano, leads the choir through weekly rehearsals and performances around the city. The group utilizes rehearsal space at MacPhail Center for Music, the Guthrie Theater, and the Mill City Museum. The group has recently rehearsed on the top floor of the West Bank Office Building parking ramp in nice weather. Everyone wears masks and socially distances.
The choir has performed at events across the city, singing ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ at Twins games, performing at the MacPhail Music Matters Luncheon, the Loring Park Music Fest, the Apple Valley Kelley Park Festival, the Capri Theater, at the Ordway, Orchestra Hall, at the Guthrie Theater before a production of A Christmas Carol, and caroling throughout the neighborhood.
An alliance with MacPhail Center for Music, Mill City Singers is offered at no charge to participants and no need to audition.
To learn how you can be a part of The Mill City Singers, contact Claudia Kittock via email or call 763.913.7469.