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Press Releases
Chorus Austin Announces 2026-27 Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Leah Rankin | Morahan Arts and Media
leah@morahanartsandmedia.com | 646-378-9386
CHORUS AUSTIN ANNOUNCES 2026-27 SEASON
Songs for the Journey
26-27 Season Features Performances with
Ballet Austin and the Austin Symphony Orchestra,
Premieres from the 12th Annual Composer's Competition,
Interactive Holiday Singalong, and the Return of the Women's Chorus,
Along With Performances of Choral Masterpieces
“diverse, emotional, and harmonious”
— The Daily Texan
September 15, 2026 (Austin, TX) – Chorus Austin, led by Artistic Director and Conductor Ryan Heller, announces its 2026-2027 season with performances by its Chamber Ensemble, Symphony Chorus, and Women’s Chorus. The new season is centered around the theme Songs for the Journey, featuring inspiring new works and beloved masterpieces to light the way on our shared journey.
Season highlights include performances with Ballet Austin and the Austin Symphony Orchestra, premieres by the winners of the 12th Annual Composer’s Competition, an interactive holiday singalong where the audience is invited to guest conduct, the return of the Women’s Chorus for a special Mother’s Day brunch event, and performances of choral masterpieces at venues around Austin.
“Music has the extraordinary power to bring people together, to inspire us, and to remind us of our shared humanity,” Ryan Heller said. “This season, Chorus Austin invites audiences on a journey that celebrates the richness and diversity of the choral art form. From timeless masterpieces like Vivaldi's Gloria to thrilling new voices, including world premieres from our 12th Annual Composer's Competition. We're delighted to collaborate once again with Ballet Austin and the Austin Symphony Orchestra, welcome back our Women's Chorus, and share an interactive Holiday Singalong for the whole community. Whether you're a lifelong lover of choral music or discovering us for the first time, this season promises unforgettable performances that celebrate creativity, connection, and the joy of making music together. We invite you to discover the beauty, power, and passion of Chorus Austin in our 62nd season!”
Chorus Austin kicks off its 62nd season on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. at First English Lutheran Church with Journeys, a concert by Chorus Austin’s Chamber Ensemble featuring works by the winners of their 12th Annual Composer's Competition. The program explores various themes about the concept of journeys, including: where a journey begins, the idea of journeying together, journeys into nature and into darkness, a heart’s journey, and the journey home.
In December, Chorus Austin celebrates the holiday spirit by joining the Austin Symphony Orchestra for its annual tradition of Handel's Messiah on Tuesday, December 1, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. at Hyde Park Church. On Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Chorus Austin presents its 36th annual Sing it Yourself Messiah, where the audience is invited to sing along with the Symphonic Chorus accompanied by members of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Audience members can also enter an on-site raffle to win a chance to conduct the Hallelujah Chorus. For the final concert of 2026, Chorus Austin performs On a Winter’s Eve: Gloria on Saturday, December 19, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. at NW Hills United Methodist Church as both the Symphonic Chorus and Chamber Singers combine forces to present Vivaldi’s Gloria and other holiday favorites.
Chorus Austin rings in the new year with its third annual gala event, Mosaics of Impact, on Saturday, January 9, 2027 at 6:00 p.m. at Hilton Austin. The event marks the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, with highlights including a silent auction, solo, duet, and ensemble performances, and a live auction with all proceeds benefiting Chorus Austin.
On Saturday, February 20, 2027 at 8:00 p.m. at Riverbend Church Chapel, Chorus Austin’s Chamber Ensemble performs Modern Masterpieces, an a cappella performance of modern masterpieces by contemporary composers, including Requiem of Light by Patti Drennan.
Chorus Austin’s Symphonic Chorus joins the Austin Symphony Orchestra for two performances of Daphnis & Gloria on Friday, March 5, 2027 at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 6, 2027 at 8:00 p.m. at The Long Center's Dell Hall. The concert brings together choral and orchestral works that explore spirituality and human expression with Poulenc’s Gloria, blending reverence with moments of brightness and energy, and Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé, an expansive work that combines chorus and orchestra in a detailed and evolving soundscape.
On Sunday, May 9, 2027 at 11:00 a.m. at a location to be announced, Chorus Austin offers She Sings: A Brunch & Bubbles Celebration Special Event, an intimate Mother’s Day Brunch. The event features the return of Chorus Austin’s newly formed Women's Chorus, made up of 36 singers derived from members of Chorus Austin’s Chamber Ensemble — Chorus Austin’s select group of singers, curated for programs that benefit from nuance, clarity, and close musical collaboration. Without the scale of a full symphonic chorus, the ensemble offers a more immediate connection between singers, music, and audience.
The Symphonic Chorus joins the Austin Symphony Orchestra again in May for Ode to Joy on Friday, May 14, 2027 at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 15, 2027 at 8:00 p.m. at The Long Center's Dell Hall, a program for chorus, soloists, and orchestra featuring Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Ode to Joy brings together narration, chorus, and orchestra in a work that continues to resonate across generations. This concert reflects on community, expression, and the role of music in bringing people together.
Ahead of its official season opening in October, treble voices from Chorus Austin will join Ballet Austin for A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Friday, September 25 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, September 27 at 3:00 p.m at The Long Center. Magic and mischief take center stage in Stephen Mills’ enchanting reimagining of Shakespeare’s riotous comedy as confused lovers, mischievous fairies, and wayward spells collide beneath a moonlit forest canopy in this hilarious tale of romantic mayhem. Set to Mendelssohn’s richly expressive score played live by the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Mills’ interpretation is a playful, visually lush celebration of love in all its charm in this clever, whimsical, and irresistibly entertaining production.
Chorus Austin’s 62nd Season is supported in part by the City of Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, KMFA 89.5, and Republic Print and Mail.
Program Information:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Friday, September 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 27 at 3:00 p.m
The Long Center | 701 W Riverside Dr | Austin, TX 78704
Tickets: Subscriptions are currently on-sale with single tickets available later this summer.
Link: https://my.balletaustin.org/overview/midsummer-2026
Program:
Felix Mendelssohn - A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Artists:
Stephen Mills, Concept and Choreography
Ballet Austin
David Walker & David Heuvel, Costume Design
Tony Tucci, Lighting Design
Austin Symphony Orchestra
Treble Voices from Chorus Austin
__________________________________
Journeys
Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
First English Lutheran Church | 3001 Whitis Ave | Austin, TX 78705
Link: https://www.chorusaustin.org/journeys-26
Program:
Works by the winners of Chorus Austin’s 12th Annual Composer's Competition
Artists:
Chorus Austin Chamber Ensemble
Ryan Heller, Artistic Director and Conductor
__________________________________
Messiah w/ASO
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.
Hyde Park Church | 3901 Speedway | Austin, TX 78751
Link: https://my.austinsymphony.org/1240/1278?z=0
Program:
Handel - Messiah
Artists:
Symphonic Chorus
Ryan Heller, Artistic Director and Conductor
Austin Symphony Orchestra
__________________________________
Sing it Yourself Messiah
Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church | 8134 Mesa Dr | Austin, TX 78759
Link: https://www.chorusaustin.org/sing-it-yourself-messiah-26
Program:
Handel - Messiah
Artists:
Symphonic Chorus
Ryan Heller, Artistic Director and Conductor
__________________________________
On a Winter’s Eve: Sing
Saturday, December 19, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.
NW Hills United Methodist Church | 7050 Village Center Dr. | Austin, TX 78731
Link: https://www.chorusaustin.org/seasonevents
Program:
Vivaldi - Gloria
Plus other holiday favorites
Artists:
Combined Choirs
Ryan Heller, Artistic Director and Conductor
__________________________________
Mosaics of Impact Gala
Saturday, January 9, 2027 at 6:00 p.m.
Hilton Austin | 500 E. 4th St. | Austin, TX 78701
Link: https://chorusaustinmosaicsofimpact.auctria.events/
Artists:
Gala Chorus
Ryan Heller, Artistic Director and Conductor
__________________________________
Modern Masterpieces
Saturday, February 20, 2027 at 8:00 p.m.
Riverbend Church Chapel | 4214 N Capital of Texas Hwy | Austin, TX 78746
Link: https://www.chorusaustin.org/modern-masterpieces-27
Program:
Patti Drennan - Requiem of Light
Artists:
Chamber Ensemble
Ryan Heller, Artistic Director and Conductor
__________________________________
Daphnis & Gloria w/ASO
Friday, March 5, 2027 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 6, 2027 at 8:00 p.m.
The Long Center's Dell Hall | 701 W Riverside Dr | Austin, TX 78704
Link: https://my.austinsymphony.org/1229
Program:
Missy Mazzoli - The Shield of the Heart is the Heart (for string orchestra)
Poulenc - Gloria
Ravel - Daphnis et Chloé
Artists:
Symphonic Chorus
Ryan Heller, Artistic Director and Conductor
Austin Symphony Orchestra
__________________________________
Mother’s Day Brunch - She Sings: A Brunch & Bubbles Celebration Special Event
Sunday, May 9, 2027 at 11:00 a.m.
Location to be announced
Link: https://www.chorusaustin.org/she-sings-bubbles-brunch-27#/productions-view
Artists:
Women’s Chorus
Ryan Heller, Artistic Director and Conductor
__________________________________
Beethoven’s 9th Symphony w/ASO
Friday, May 14, 2027 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 15, 2027 at 8:00 p.m.
The Long Center's Dell Hall | 701 W Riverside Dr | Austin, TX 78704
Link: https://my.austinsymphony.org/1231
Program:
Mozart/Todd Boss - The Boy Who Said Wow (Masonic Funeral Music, K. 477) [based on a true story]
Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 (Choral)
Artists:
Symphonic Chorus
Ryan Heller, Artistic Director and Conductor
Austin Symphony Orchestra
About Chorus Austin
Through its commitment to excellence, Chorus Austin creates passionate musical experiences that inspire community. A rich tradition of great choral music and modern musical innovations mark Chorus Austin, a non-profit community-based organization under the guidance of Artistic Director and Conductor Ryan Heller.
Chorus Austin hosts a full season of six or more concerts annually, including large-scale productions by its 150-voice Symphonic Chorus and more intimate concerts by its Chamber Ensemble. This season, Chorus Austin celebrates 62 years of continuously providing the best in choral music to the Austin and Central Texas community.
Founded as the Austin Civic Chorus as part of Austin’s City Parks and Recreation Department, “for all Austin-area residents who like to sing,” the group quickly incorporated as an independent organization. In 1999, the acclaimed Handel-Haydn Society joined with the Austin Civic Chorus under the umbrella of
Chorus Austin. A distinct part of the Chorus Austin history is encouraging new music. The group has commissioned a variety of new works, including the award-winning The Unutterable by internationally respected composer Robert Kyr. During the 2015/2016 season, Chorus Austin premiered two commissioned works: On a Winter’s Eve by West Coast composer Karen Thomas, and The Contemplations of Hafiz, a major, multi-movement composition for chorus, orchestra, and soloists by acclaimed Austin composer Donald Grantham. In 2014, Chorus Austin initiated its Young Composers Competition, showcasing works by rising young artists, and in 2023, garnered the organization's first-ever grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in support of the Tenth Anniversary of the concert sharing the work of these composers, Southwest Voices.
Over the decades, as one of the oldest continuously performing music organizations in the area, Chorus Austin has amassed awards, accolades, and invitations, both nationally and on a local level. The group was honored in 2013 as the winner of the national Chorus America/ASCAP Alice Parker Award for programming recently composed music. The group was also a two-time national finalist for the prestigious American Prize. KMFA Classical 89.5 radio placed Chorus Austin as one of the Top 10 Classical Highlights of 2016 for its performance of the newly commissioned work The Contemplations of Hafiz. And in April 2017, Chorus America and the American Composers Forum awarded Chorus Austin and composer Joshua Fishbein the Dale Warland Singers Commission Award.
Beyond the notes, Chorus Austin cares deeply for its community. Their commitment to equity and diversity was honored by the City of Austin last year by being awarded one of the city's first-ever ELEVATE grants.
Learn more at www.chorusaustin.org
About Ryan Heller
Described as exciting, dynamic, and charismatic, Ryan Heller leads the award-winning Chorus Austin as Conductor and Artistic Director, having joined Austin’s vibrant classical music scene in 2009. Mr. Heller and Chorus Austin were honored in 2013 as winners of the national Chorus America/ASCAP Alice Parker Award, given to recognize a chorus for programming recently composed music. The group was also a two-time national finalist for the prestigious American Prize under Mr. Heller’s guidance. In 2012, Chorus Austin was named one of the Top 10 Classical Musical Treasures by Robert Faires of the Austin Chronicle. KMFA Classical 89.5 radio placed Chorus Austin as one of the Top 10 Classical Highlights of 2016 for its performance of the newly commissioned work The Contemplations of Hafiz. And in April 2017, Chorus America and the American Composers Forum awarded Chorus Austin and composer Joshua Fishbein the Dale Warland Singers Commission Award.
In 2008, Ryan Heller was nominated for a Portland, OR, Music Award as “Outstanding Classical Musician.” He has led ensembles across the United States with appearances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Chicago’s Symphony Hall. He has toured internationally in Italy, Germany, Estonia, Sweden, and in China, where he led combined choirs from Texas at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing and at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. Most recently, he guided Chorus Austin singers in a July 2016 concert tour through Scandinavia and the Baltic region. He served as Co-founder, Conductor, and Artistic Director of the Portland Vocal Consort, one of Portland, Oregon's premier professional choirs, and spent a decade as the Conductor/Artistic Director of the Southwest Washington Symphony. In 2001, he co-founded the Columbia Chorale of Oregon, which he led until 2010. From 2003 to 2018, he was the Director of the internationally acclaimed Pride of Portland Chorus.
Today, in addition to leading Chorus Austin, he is the Music Director of the Christchurch City Chorus in Christchurch, New Zealand. Mr. Heller has been music director of a wide variety of productions throughout the West Coast, including the world premiere of the opera The Canticle of the Black Madonna in Portland. Other productions include Brigadoon, Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, Sweeney Todd, Annie, Company, and Into the Woods.
As an active performer, he has appeared and/or recorded with groups such as Austin’s REVEL, 10 Chorus Austin '25-'26: Season of Unity, Portland Opera, William Hall MasterChorale, Choral Cross-Ties, Portland Baroque Orchestra, Capella Romana, Lakewood Theater Company, and the Broadway Rose Theater Company.
Ryan Heller is in frequent demand as a conductor, singer, and coach. He has been hailed by critics and called “exciting, charismatic and intelligent–a young conductor to keep our eyes on.” Mr. Heller is thrilled to mark his 18th season leading Chorus Austin as the group celebrates its 62nd season. For this artist, it is about making great music with an outstanding ensemble and sharing it with Austin and the Central Texas community.
Photo at top of release provided by Chorus Austin
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