Welcome to the wonderful world of delightful choral music! If you're considering joining our musical family, you're in for a truly special experience. We're more than just a choir – we're a close-knit community of music lovers who have been sharing the joy of singing together for decades.
♪ Rehearsals
Our musical journey begins each year on the Sunday after Labor Day, with rehearsals scheduled thoughtfully every two weeks or so. As we approach the magical December season, the pace naturally accelerates – you'll find us rehearsing most Sundays as excitement builds for our performances.
We gather at our musical home, Zion Lutheran Church on Woodward, just three blocks south of Nine Mile near downtown Ferndale. Our rehearsals take place in the beautiful sanctuary from 5-7 p.m., creating an inspiring atmosphere for making music together. Need extra help or practice? Our director and section members are always happy to arrange additional coaching.
♫ Music
Here's where the magic really happens – we sing most of our music from memory! Our seasonal repertoire is a delightful blend of secular and sacred standards, beloved pieces we perform most years, and exciting new arrangements that keep us fresh and engaged.
Many singers bring portable recorders to rehearsals (a great learning tool!), and we create a special rehearsal CD at our annual retreat in mid-October. Yes, memorization can feel daunting, especially in your first season, but it transforms us into something special – a flexible, connected ensemble able to truly engage with our audiences and each other. You'll see the joy in our faces in every photo!
Beyond our seasonal favorites, we also maintain a charming repertoire of madrigals, love songs, and folk songs for special occasions, plus meaningful music for funerals and memorial services. For these special moments, we use music folders to ensure every note is perfect.
♬ Performances
Our performance calendar is wonderfully varied! We're blessed with loyal "clients" who invite us back year after year for the Christmas season. You'll find us gracing private clubs with elegance, bringing joy to community events, adding warmth to office parties, and touching hearts at nursing homes.
The crown jewel of our year is our beloved public concert at Zion Lutheran on a Sunday around Thanksgiving – a cherished tradition that marks the beginning of the holiday season for many families.
Our performance season typically launches the week after our annual concert, though occasionally an exciting opportunity appears earlier. Every member participates in our annual concert (it's truly magical!), while other engagements work on a sign-up basis. We do ask for a minimum commitment to performances, which helps ensure everyone can enjoy our mostly-subsidized retreat weekend.
♩ Annual Retreat
Picture this: a beautiful weekend in Northport on northern Michigan's stunning Leelanau Peninsula, usually in mid-October when the autumn colors are at their peak. While not required, our annual retreat is truly invaluable – it's where you'll discover the heart and soul of our group.
This special weekend offers the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in our music through multiple rehearsals, learn about our unique culture and traditions, and forge lasting friendships in one of Michigan's most beautiful bayside settings. Details are shared at our first rehearsal, and many members consider it the highlight of their year!
♪ Dues, Costs & Costumes
Here's some wonderful news – there are no dues! All music and folders are provided as part of our commitment to making beautiful music accessible.
However, we do perform in authentic Old English costume, which adds so much to our Renaissance atmosphere. Depending on your desired level of authenticity, costumes can be an investment. The good news? Men's costumes are provided by the group (unless you prefer to have your own custom-made), and for our female singers, we provide approved patterns and plenty of helpful guidance from experienced members.
Many local companies and online sources offer authentic, reasonably-priced Renaissance costumes, and our costume-savvy members are always happy to share their expertise and even lend a helping hand with the creation process!
Our Musical Mission
We are a group that takes genuine pride in providing fine a cappella music while having an absolute blast doing it. We're always a class act, but we manage to keep things wonderfully informal – the perfect blend of professionalism and pure joy!
Ready to join our musical family?
For an audition or to learn more, call Holly Conroy at (248) 321-8689