Tucson Masterworks Chorale is southern Arizona’s premier community chorus. Since 1949 the chorus has delighted audiences with a diverse array of performances that have featured some of the greatest compositions in the choral literature. Our choral repertoire includes outstanding pieces composed by master musicians, including both well-loved, familiar pieces and exciting contemporary compositions. In addition to the chorale itself, many of our performances feature a full orchestra and some of the nation’s most outstanding soloists. We are very pleased to have been bringing Arizona audiences together with this beautiful music for many years, and are committed to making live performances of iconic choral music accessible to the community of Tucson, and beyond, for many more years into the future.
The Chorale has grown steadily from its inception in 1949 as the “Desert Singing Guild.” Sam Goddard, Jr., later governor of Arizona, was the first president. Three years later the name was changed to Tucson Civic Chorus. In 1984, the name was again changed to Tucson Masterworks Chorale in order to better reflect the superior quality of the chorus and the music, and the group’s increasing importance to Tucson’s cultural climate.
The membership of the Chorale is currently around 80 singers. The singers come from various walks of life, but hold a love of singing together in common. They sing for “the love of it,” and the importance of the Chorale is reflected in the tenure of its members—some have been with the group for 30 years.
Whether you are visiting our site as a member of our audience, a supporter or a singer, we welcome you to our choral community!
We are proud to present these concert videos!
TMC presents Dona Nobis Pacem by Ralph Vaughan Williams
TMC presents American Dreamers #UnitedWeDream by Melissa Dunphy (youtube.com)
TMC presents All of Us (from Considering Matthew Shepard) by Craig Hella Johnson (youtube.com)
TMC presents I’ll Be On My Way by Shawn Kirchner (youtube.com)
TMC presents Ngothando by Mbuso Ndlovu (youtube.com)
Social Media
The Chorale maintains a Facebook Page, and an Instagram Account. Be sure to like us on Facebook; you’ll find pictures of the Chorale and information about past and current concerts. Visit our Listening page to hear selections from past concerts and go to our new You Tube channel to see our latest concerts. After hearing these recordings, you’ll want to come to one of our concerts! You may even be inspired to come sing with us!
Artistic Directors
The Chorale has been blessed with many wonderful Artistic Directors over the years. Here’s a list of just a few of them.
- Luke Diamond
- Angelica Dunsavage
- Gavin Ely
- Yoojin Muhn
- Jonathan Kim
- Luke A. Lusted
- Scott D. Glysson
- Marcela Molina
- Tony Thornton
- Aaron McDermid
- David Gardner
- Timothy E. Woods
- Rodney and Lisa Caldwell
- Alan Shultz
Major Works
Our repertoire covers a wide range of styles and eras. Our concerts usually include a major work along with shorter pieces. A sampling of the major works we have performed are below.
- C. P. E. Bach, Magnificat
- J. S. Bach, Magnificat, St. Matthew Passion & St. John Passion
- Ludwig van Beethoven, Fantasia in C minor
- Jackson Berkey, Cantate 2000
- Ernest Bloch, Avodath Hakodesh (Sacred Service)
- Johannes Brahms, Liebeslieder Waltzes
- Benjamin Britten, Rejoice in the Lamb
- Luigi Cherubini, Requiem in C minor
- Maurice Duruflé, Requiem
- Antonín Dvořák, Mass in D Major
- Gabriel Fauré, Requiem
- F. Handel, “Dettinger” Te Deum
- Franz Josef Haydn, Little Organ Mass, Lord Nelson Mass, & Missa Brevis St. Joannis de Deo
- Zoltan Kodaly, Missa Brevis
- Morten Lauridsen, Lux Aeterna
- Felix Mendelssohn, Hear My Prayer & St. Paul
- W. A. Mozart, Alma Dei Creatoris, Coronation Mass, Missa Brevis in D minor, Mass in C Minor, & Requiem
- Carl Orff, Carmina Burana
- Henry Purcell, Dido & Aeneas
- Ariel Ramierez, Misa Criolla
- Josef Rheinberger, Stabat Mater
- John Rutter, Gloria, Mass of the Children, & Requiem
- Camille Saint-Saёns, Mass, Op. 4 & Oratorio de Noel
- Franz Schubert, Mass No. 2 in G Major
- Ralph Vaughan Williams, Dona Nobis Pacem, Hodie, & A Sea Symphony
- Antonio Vivaldi, Gloria