About the Westchester Chorale

The Westchester Chorale is an auditioned avocational chorus devoted to the performance of the great choral literature. Founded in 1965, the Westchester Chorale has long been recognized as one of the region’s leading musical ensembles.

Westchester Chorale’s performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria December 8, 2018 at Larchmont Avenue Church, Larchmont, NY

The approximately 40 men and women who form the Chorale are avid singers drawn from many walks of life. Some earn their livings as musicians; others are active in such professions as medicine, law and teaching; others yet are students, homemakers and retirees. Most live in Westchester County, though some travel to sing with us from New York City and nearby New Jersey and Connecticut.

During its 55+ year history, the Westchester Chorale has distinguished itself for its dedication to high standards of musicianship, and for its collaboration with vocal soloists and instrumentalists of the finest caliber.

Our diversity is rooted in a shared and deep devotion to working together, under the inspiring guidance of our Music Director, Douglas Kostner, to create outstanding performances of wonderful music. He is widely acclaimed for engaging programs which blend the familiar along with unusual and exciting pieces from the choral repertoire. (More about Douglas Kostner: https://westchesterchorale.org/about-the-musical-director/)

The Chorale normally presents two music events each season, usually in December and May. Recent performances have showcased:

  • “Rhythms from the Andes” featuring Carlos Guastavino’s Indianas” and Ariel Ramirez’s Navidad Nuestra (December 2022).
  • “Voices of Jubilation,” performance of Dan Forrest’s Jubilate Den and premiere of Maestro Douglas Kostner’s most recent composition, Come…and Dance. (May 2022).
  • Karl Jenkins’s The Peacemakers (May 2019).
  • Dimitry Bortniansky’s Sacred Concerto No. 6; and Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria (December 2018).
  • Celebration of American Song with selections from Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland (May 2018).

Since 2010 the Chorale has been the Chorus-in-Residence of the Larchmont Avenue Church, where Maestro Kostner is also the Director of Music Ministry. Our weekly rehearsals are challenging on many artistic levels while also full of the sheer joy of making glorious music together.

To learn more about joining the Chorale, see the Join Us page.

Members of the Board:

Fran Snedeker, President
Joyce Duffy, Vice President
Ellen Dungan
Penny Grossman
Margery Manber
Sharon Parente
Tom Porter