The Chorale began in 1992, founded by Ron White as Cantati Evangelica, and was dedicated to singing sacred choral concerts of music from many historical periods in churches and auditoriums throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding regions. Following Ron’s retirement, and with new leadership under Ken Fenton, the Chorale formally incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit entity in 2007 with a new name — Twin Cities Master’s Chorale.
Following the Chorale’s recent two-year COVID-induced hiatus, it is eagerly, optimistically, and enthusiastically resuming all choral activity in Fall 2022, re-imagined and revitalized with a fresh identity, major leadership and administrative changes, and a new name — Chrismon Chorale. The term “chrismon” is a contraction of the Latin, “Christi monogramma,” meaning monogram of Christ, and represents the Chorale’s desire to embody Christ through its music and the truth of its message.
As it is re-imagined, the Chorale’s unique mission, however, has not changed. It exists “. . . to present concerts exclusively from the collected works of sacred choral music that comfort, uplift, and inspire, seeking to perform them with the highest level of musicality and artistry, singing as people who personally believe and know the truth of the message that they proclaim, and offering them as a sacrifice to the glory of God.”
LARRY BACH, the Musical and Artistic Director of Chrismon Chorale, recently retired from North Central University in Minneapolis where he served as Chair of the Music Department and as Dean of the College of Fine Arts. He also founded the NCU Women’s Choir and conducted the NCU Concert Chorale. Under Bach’s direction, the Concert Chorale performed in over 20 countries and had two solo performances at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In the Spring of 2023, Bach conducted the premiere of Michael John Trotta’s “Te Deum,” at the David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, New York City.
Throughout his career, Bach has been a frequent clinician and guest conductor in high schools, colleges, community choirs, and church choirs. He has twice had the honor of conducting Minnesota All State choirs.
He has also led many church choirs, currently serving as Canticle Choir Director for St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, MN.
Bach sang professionally with the Dale Warland Singers from 1983 to 2003, serving as Assistant Conductor from 2000 to 2003. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in vocal performance from West Virginia Wesleyan University, a Master of Music in choral conducting from the University of Minnesota, and has completed all course work and examinations for a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Iowa.
JOSHUA TOMPKINS, accompanist for Chrismon Chorale, serves as Director of Music and Theater at North Central University in Minneapolis, where he has taught Music Theory and Piano for over 20 years. He accompanies the NCU Concert Chorale, Women’s Choir, and Festival Choir for rehearsals and concerts, and has accompanied the Concert Chorale on multiple tours throughout the United States and Europe, including their concerts in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.
Tompkins has performed extensively as a concert pianist and freelance artist over his professional career with numerous recordings under his label and other national record labels. He enjoys performing an extensive repertoire that includes classical, sacred, pop, and jazz. He has also produced and arranged music for other local artists and loves helping others pursue the art of music making.
Tompkins is also Director of Music at Presbyterian Church of the Way in Shoreview, MN, where he conducts the choir and leads the worship band, making music with his church family—a highlight of the week. He has also conducted the orchestra for the last five shows at Faith Community Theater in Minnetonka.
Tompkins has earned a Bachelor of Music, a Master of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Minnesota.
Performing Members include: Those singing with the Chorale at the time that choral activity was suspended in 2020; former members who have previously sung with the Chorale and wish to return; members of established, acknowledged church choirs; those who have sung in semi-professional, or professional choirs; former choir members whose churches have discontinued their choirs and who wish to continue singing sacred choral music; alumni from North Central University choirs who have sung under Larry Bach, and from other college choirs with an established choral tradition who reside in the Twin Cities and in greater Minnesota.
Chrismon Chorale is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions to the Chorale are tax deductible. The Chorale depends on free-will concert offerings, member dues, donations, and sponsorship for fiscal support. Donations can be sent through PayPal or by mailing a check to: Chrismon Chorale, PO Box 130334, St Paul, MN 55113.