Dubuque Chorale and Dubuque Chorale Children's Choir

Founded in 1971, we are a non-auditioned community choir of about 65 adults and an auditioned children's choir of 40 3-6th graders. Evolving from concerts to concert events, we partner with other organizations and individuals to focus on local history, social trends and topics of social importance. For example, we did concerts celebrating our immigrants from the British Isles and Germany, the importance of the river, our children, animals and pets, the importance of agriculture, and human rights. Every fall we sponsor Songfest, allowing local colleges and other choral groups to present their work and join a mass choir. We also sing major works with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra and join them for Holiday Pops. In the spring of 2017 we hosted five rural high school choirs to present classical pieces with an orchestra. In November we presented The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass, written by Dubuque native Carol Barnett, who joined us for educational sessions. The famous ensemble Monroe Crossing did the instrumentals. We have partnered with veterans groups to honor them, and JDIFF to promote them. We have celebrated all faiths in special concerts and sang "Dubuque's History" at 5-Flags. After the shutdown for the pandemic we restarted in August 2021 and will present the 50th anniversary concert in May of 2022. Our Artistic Director is Dr. Amanda Huntleigh, Director of Choral Activities at Clarke University.Volunteers do all the administration, fundraising, and marketing. The artistic directors, accompanists, and instrumentalists receive stipends. Financial aid is available for members unable to pay dues. Rehearsals are weekly with a yearly retreat to meet educational goals. Please join us! Check the web site dubuquechorale.org.

Testimonials

from audience members of "The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass" Nov 2017: "What a gem of a concert. I am so proud of Carol Barnett, Monroe Crossing, the Children's Choir, Dubuque Chorale, and conductors Bob Demaree and Karmella Sellers". "This was A+ wonderful! Thank you. This was an extraordinary evening of music. Very original and life affirming". "This was more ambitious, risky, and diverse than other events presented by the Chorale". "We enjoyed the pre-concert talk and learned a lot".
From an elementary student: : I liked how she explained the songs she had written and how she felt about them" (referring to Carol Barnett's visit to Bryant School)