Vision/Mission
To join our voices together, singing as one to create beautiful music – a cappella, accompanied, or with orchestra – that strengthens the music environment in our community while touching the hearts of those who listen.
The Washtenaw Chorale is a vibrant vocal group, serving our local community and beyond. We sing a diverse mix of songs ranging from secular to sacred, drawing from a range of traditions and places. Our group is informal (at least at rehearsals) and enjoys camaraderie and shares in the joy of making an amazing choral sound. Whether it is singing Bach, Vivaldi, Schoenberg, Hagenberg, or Vaughan Williams, we enjoy ourselves.
We work from a base of thirty-five to forty-five singers drawn from all over Washtenaw County and southeast Michigan. Many members are or have been active in community and church choirs in the area. Members run the spectrum of jobs, ages, genders and walks of life, united in our love of music.
Typically, the Chorale has two seasons, with a concert in late Fall and one in the Spring, celebrating Thanksgiving and the feeling of renewal that spring offers. Our music is often accompanied by local artists who add their talents in playing the cello, violin, double bass, clarinet, or trumpet. Future concerts will continue that tradition.
In the past, the Chorale has collaborated successfully with the Dexter Community Orchestra, the Dexter High School Chorus, and the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra.
We welcome all voices. An audition is required.
Music Director: Alexander Cave
Alex has directed Washtenaw Chorale since 2015. Prior to taking on this role, he served
as co-director. In addition to conducting the Chorale, he conducts the Finnish American Singers of Michigan.
He is an active choral director, vocal teacher and arranger, as well as a gifted choral musician and singer. Alex has served as Director of Music for the Congregational Church of Birmingham (UCC), where he prepared vocal and instrumental ensembles for services and ecumenical events. He was the director of the University of Michigan Diversity Choir for eleven years.
Founder and musical director of The Geneva Convention and Third Millennium Chorale, he has performed throughout the United States and Canada. Locally, Alex has sung with The Bach Chorale, the Vocal Arts Ensemble, Measure for Measure, and the Boys Choir of Ann Arbor.
While earning his bachelor’s degree in choral conducting at Indiana University, Bloomington,
Alex sang countertenor in select ensembles under the direction of John White and Fiona Contino. A lyric baritone, Alex studied voice with Metropolitan Opera tenor Charles Kullmann.
His love for music took great leaps during his high school years, studying voice and cello at the Cleveland Institute of Music and directing his school’s choir and orchestra. The Ohio All-State Orchestra selected him as a cellist. Under the direction of Robert Shaw and George Zell, Alex sang with the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra Chorus – only one of two high school students admitted to this highly respected ensemble.
Alex Cave brings a tremendous amount of dedication, talent, and musical experience to the Washtenaw Chorale.
Pianist: Edward “Ted” Wyman
Ted is not only a talented pianist, but a valued resource as well – indispensable to the Chorale’s success. He serves ensembles throughout Washtenaw County, including the Ann Arbor Civic Chorus and the Vocal Arts Ensemble.