Meet the Musicians: Seattle Symphony Chorale

By Leilani Polk

The official chorus of the Seattle Symphony, the Seattle Symphony Chorale performs with the orchestra both on stage and in recorded concerts. Over the past four decades, the Chorale has grown in artistry and stature, establishing itself as a highly respected ensemble. Critics have described the Chorale’s work as “beautiful, prayerful, expressive, superb and robust,” and have praised it for its “impressive clarity and precision.” Directed by Associate Conductor for Choral Activities Joseph Crnko, the Chorale’s volunteer members are professionals from all walks of life — teachers, doctors, attorneys, musicians, students, bankers, tech and aerospace industry workers, and more — and bring not only musical excellence but a sheer love of music and performance to their endeavor. A single member invests nearly 200 hours a year to weekly rehearsals, rehearsals with the orchestra and performances — and this doesn’t include the time devoted to at-home preparations!

Last season marked the return of the Chorale after a forced hiatus of more than 18 months due to the pandemic. The Chorale performed in three programs, closing last season’s Masterworks series with the orchestra in Verdi’s Requiem. This season, the Chorale comes in strong with 100 members following two rounds of auditions. More than 60 potential singers showed an interest in joining; 22 were admitted. Each of the sections (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) are directed by section leaders who, in addition to helping oversee the musical progress of the Chorale, “serve as the main source of communication within the group, conveying important musical notes as well as schedule information,” explains Crnko. “They also work with me to coordinate personnel for each performance.”

The Chorale has already performed in one of the Symphony’s most anticipated programs of the 2022/2023 season, Tan Dun’s Buddha Passion, and will sing in two more concerts in December: Handel’s Messiah (December 16–18, 2022) and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (December 28, 29 & 30 + a New Year's Eve Concert, Countdown & Party on December 31, 2022). Coming up later this season, the Chorale will appear in Orff’s Carmina burana (March 30–April 2, 2023) and Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection” (June 22 & 24, 2023), and will continue to perform in their specially designed “singer masks.”


Performances of Tan Dun Buddha Passion were generously underwritten by Jeff and Rita Xiong.
Handel’s Messiah is generously sponsored by Stephen Whyte in memory of Gwendolyn Jones Whyte.