The Westchester Chorale was organized in 1965 by Harold Aks of Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. An auditioned avocational chorus, the Chorale has been a proud contributor to the musical life of Westchester County for the past 45 years. Throughout its history, the Chorale’s high standards of musicianship and collaboration with professional vocal soloists and instrumentalists have brought critical praise and renown.

 In 2009, the Chorale was delighted to appoint Douglas Kostner as its new Music Director and to become the official chorus-in-residence of the Larchmont Avenue Church in Larchmont. Mr. Kostner is currently Director of Music Ministry at the Larchmont Avenue Church in addition to his leadership of the Westchester Chorale. He has a special interest in exploring lesser-known vocal repertoire and introducing audiences to unusual and exciting compositions.

Prior to Mr. Kostner’s appointment, Daniel Paget served as Music Director from 1984 until his retirement from the Chorale in the spring of 2008. Under Mr. Paget’s leadership, the Chorale developed its reputation for performing imaginative and distinctive programs. During the interim season of 2008-9, Harold Rosenbaum led the Chorale as Guest Music Director.

Recent Chorale performances have included A Celebration of American Song featuring works by Copland and Lauridsen, Rachmaninoff’s Vespers in a traditional Russian Orthodox setting, Handel’s oratorios Joshua and Israel in Egypt with full orchestra, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Benjamin Britten’s St. Nicolas, Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, and Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. The Chorale has also performed such masterworks as Bach’s Mass in B minor, Mozart’s Requiem, Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, and Orff’s Carmina Burana.
-Rosanna Hansen, 2010-