Lake Wales Chorale

The Lake Wales Chorale has been a cultural icon in Lake Wales since its inception in 1972. 

Celebrate the joyous season with the Lake Wales Chorale at our Holiday Concert, taking place at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Experience an enchanting evening of choral music accompanied by a chamber orchestra, featuring Taylor Scott Davis’s moving Magnificat. This composition, reflecting Mary’s prayer and journey as the mother of Jesus, will be performed with awe-inspiring vocals and orchestral brilliance. The concert also includes a selection of beloved Christmas carols such as “The First Noel” and “Silent Night”, promising a magical night for all ages.

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, December 8

• Time: Doors open at 5:00 PM, Music starts at 6:00 PM

• Location: Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 644 S 9th Street, Lake Wales

• Admission: $20 Non-Members, $15 Members, $5 Students (13-22), Free for Children 13 and Under

If you would like to Sponsor this Event, please click the button below or contact us at info@lw-arts.org

Love to Sing?

If you love to sing and are interested in auditioning for and becoming a member of the Lake Wales Chorale, please contact Dana Hofstrom, Director of the Lake Wales Chorale, at dana@lw-arts.org. Seasonal weekly rehearsals begin August and are held on Monday nights at 7pm at the Lake Wales Arts Center. Performances are typically in early December and mid- April. Chorale members pay annual dues of $100 or $50 per half-year (semester) and music is included in dues.

Special Thanks to Our Lake Wales Chorale Sponsors!

Fall 2024 Sponsors

Sustainer Level:
Mark Armstrong
Nancy and Joe Sichler
Edward Swift
VULKAN

Supporter Level:
Buzz & Carolyn Faiks
Friends of the Lake Wales Chorale
In Memory of Howard L Gibson Sr
Dana & Terri Hofstrom
The Steverson Family

Enthusiast Level:
Sharon & Fred Allen
Beth Appleby
Shelley & Patrick Stewart
Sam and Amelia Updike

History of the Lake Wales Chorale

The Lake Wales Chorale has been a cultural icon in Lake Wales since its inception in 1972, founded by local attorney Michael Crews. Over the years, the Chorale has traveled and entertained international audiences. Bok Tower Garden’s Carillonneur for thirty-four years, Mr. Milford Myhre, simultaneously dedicated 30 of those years as the Chorale’s first musical director, thus establishing a solid, quality foundation.  Succeeding Myhre with a passion for excellence was Dr. Gabriel Statom, Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales.  He dedicated his time to three entities, the Church, the Chorale, and the Bach Festival of Central Florida.  Upon Statom’s departure, Mr. Robert Wilson, Choirmaster of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Lake Wales, and Dr. Virginia Davidson, renowned conductor in New York, provided strong yet short tenured leadership.  In 2015, the Chorale was under the direction of Rev. Charles Little, Minister of Worship Arts at First Baptist Church of Lake Wales for Bok Tower Gardens’ annual sunrise Easter service.

Mr. Vince Treadway was appointed Musical Director of the Lake Wales Chorale in September 2014 and served with distinction in this capacity.  Vince holds a Master’s degree in Church Music and a Master’s degree in Organ Performance from Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey. When it was announced that Treadway was resigning his position as Director at the 2019 Spring concert, he received a standing ovation for the appreciation of his contribution to the Chorale.

Bill Doherty of the Central Florida Lyric Opera assumed the role of Director for the Holiday concert season in 2019.

Dana Hostrom succeeded him in Spring of 2019 and currently holds the position with high energy and esteem.

Lake Wales Chorale has appointed many accompanists over the years. Notable accompiasts include: Mrs. Tammy Little, pianist at First Baptist Church of Lake Wales; Dr. Jonathan Reed, Assistant Professor of Music at Warner University; Mrs. Terri Hofstrom, an accompanist for over 40 years for various church and school groups who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Anderson University (Indiana) in Music Theory and Composition.

A Question & Answer Session with Vince Treadway in 2017

Q.  How/Why are these particular compositions favored?
A. The songs that are selected represent favorite carols, songs, and traditions that have stood the test of time.  They also represent the wide variety of times and places that our Christmas music comes from, very much like the wide variety of ethnicities and cultural backgrounds of the citizens of the United States.

Q.  What is there to learn on the composers and arrangers for the evening’s presentation?
A. The program includes composers from the Renaissance through modern, living composers.  The two most prominent arrangers are from the 21st century.  Sir David Willcocks served at King’s College Cambridge for many years, and has written many of the beloved arrangements of well-known Christmas repertoire.  John Rutter is still living, and composes in a style that bridges many generations and is enjoyed by many around the world.

Q.  Please enlighten our readers on the variety, style, and musicality of these selections.  
A. The repertoire includes texts and music from the 14th century up until authors and composers who are still living, as well as works from Ireland, Germany, England, Spain, France, Italy, and the United States.

Q.  The program has a distinct flow for this Christmas presentation.  Would you share that with our readers?
A.  The program progresses from the prophecy of Christ’s birth to His birth, His introduction to the world, and through His infancy.  Some are from the perspective of the shepherds who saw the angels in the fields, some from the perspective of Mary, Jesus’ mother, some from those who wish to worship Him.  The program ends with a sentimental look at Christmas, and a wish for a Happy New Year!

Q.  Vince, you are personally excited regarding this concert.  Why is it special?  What will it offer that other area seasonal concerts may not?
A.  It is unique to find a program with such a wide variety of times and styles, sung by a completely volunteer community chorus.  Lake Wales is blessed to have such wonderful musicians!

Q.  The Lake Wales Chorale recently acquired, through generous sponsorship donations, a new Yamaha P255 electronic keyboard. How will this new keyboard enhance the music presentation?
A.  The Yamaha P255 keyboard will serve as a rehearsal instrument, and will be useful for providing support sounds as a harpsichord for baroque works; a harp, an organ continuo, a jazz piano and organ and much more.  This will eliminate the need for us to rent these instruments for performance, and make it much easier to transport.

Q.  Since becoming the Music Director of the Lake Wales Chorale in September 2014, what would you share with the community about the Chorale, its quality, its members, and your directing work?
A.  The Lake Wales Chorale consists of devoted singers from all around the area, and is not limited to Lake Wales.  It includes folks of varying vocal and music reading skills, but all have the desire to learn and improve and all have a willingness to work toward a beautiful result.  One of the challenges in conducting a community chorus is providing enough familiarity and fun to engage everyone, yet also challenge and inspire, especially those who have greater musical knowledge and experience.  The LWC is also a place for folks to get to know each other, and simply enjoy the fellowship and joy of singing together!  The LWC has had several fine Directors over the years, and each one has brought their unique ideas and musical gifts to the group.  One of my goals is to help the chorus sing as freely and musically as they can by providing the instruction and guidance they need to sing to their best ability. 

Q.  What masterworks are you anticipating for future concerts/performances?
A.  There are so many wonderful works that could be included in the repertoire of the LWC, and I am continuously considering what will work for this group so that there are a pleasing variety of styles, genres, and levels of challenge to keep everyone engaged.  We are always open to new singers, and anyone interested only needs to contact me for a very simple and friendly audition.