The Now Chorale
About
The Now Chorale is contemporary classical vocal ensemble based in Oberlin, OH. They specialize in choral music written by living composers, with an emphasis on commissioning, premiering, and recording pieces by creators in the Oberlin community. With an average performance size of 30 voices strong, the Now Chorale counts Oberlin students, faculty, alumni, and community members among its ranks. Though open to performers of all backgrounds, more than 50% of current singers are composers! In just two seasons, they have premiered 19 pieces and recorded on 4 original film scores. In addition to presenting a full program each semester, the Now Chorale can often be heard in guest performance roles in the Northeast Ohio community.
The 2025-26 season will be the third and final under founder and artistic director Matthew Thomas Brown. Fall programming is set to feature the premiere of a multi-movement work by Associate Conductor Calvin Ray Shawler. This will be showcased alongside a new work by Jackson Hunt, who performed with the group as collaborative pianist in the very first Now Chorale Concert.
The rest of the season will bring additional premieres by composer-singers Benjamin Goodwin, Frazar Henry, Gabriel Fulton, Silas Adkins Hooke, and much more!
For Now Chorale announcements, follow @thenowchorale on instagram.
Photo Credit: Abe Frato
Commissioned Works of the Now Chorale
Contact Matthew or connect with composers through links below to program these works on your concert…
Majesty in a Flawed World, Spring 2025
luminescence | 6’, music and text by Max Lang
after noah | choral improvisation on text by Ethan Katz, led by Jonny Ollendorf
Shadows and stars feel from your shoulders onto mine | 6’, music by Zola Saadi-Klein, text by August Hilderbrand
Sleep | 8’ , music and text by Katya Mueller (choir + tenor solo)
Psalm 46 | 8’, music by Oliver Hecht, text King James Bible
Together | 12’, music and text by Jacob Richter (choir + chamber orchestra & rock band)
Jacob Richter leads choir + orchestra + rock band in “Together”, 4/22/25
painting and poster by Francesca Neibell-Spruill
Angles, spring 2024
Alway Alway | 4’30”, music by Max Allard, text by Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Winds of Fate | 5’, music by Oliver Hecht, text by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The Finest of Foils | 3’30”music by Cashel Day-Lewis, text by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Odyssey, Rhapsody, Wind, and Sea | 6’30” music by Marshall Engel, text by Ella Wheeler Wilcox (choir + hand drum, soprano)
Life | 3’, music by Jerry Achtermann, text by Paul Laurence Dunbar
two ships and the sea | 7’, music by Naci Konar-Steenberg, text by Ella Wheeler Wilcox (choir + piano)
Something Sings | 5’30", music by Francesca Neibel-Spruill, text by Ralph Waldo Emerson
sadness is beautiful | 4’, music by Calvin Ray Shawler, text by Jadyn Paterson
poster by Max Lang
poster by Max Lang
The Sun Never Says, Fall 2024
Psalm 77 | music by Chloe Arnold
Because a Poet Sang | 38’, music by Matthew Thomas Brown, texts from Iliad and Odyssey (choir + violin, soprano, tenor)
Alike Unto Leaves
Let Me Live
Helen on the Ramparts (cadenza)
Terrible Beauty
Heart of the Shepherd
The World of Light
Down the Years (vocalise)
Pillared arch and sculptured tower
Matthew Thomas Brown leads “Because a Poet Sang”, 11/17/24
photo credit: Mark McKinley
painting and poster by Zola Saadi-Klein
The Music in Every Word
The Muses in the Walls | 3’30”, music by Sasha Paris-Carter (choir + ukulele)
Las Palabras de mi Maestra | 7’, music by Matthew Thomas Brown | text by composer and María Esperanza Fernández (choir + piano)
Her Gift is Music | 6’, music by Will Judd, text compiled by composer from newspapers and conversations (choir + piano)
Gabe Nichols leads “I Was Born” by Dale Trumbore, 11/11/23
Photo Credit: Jake Berran