World-Class Adult Chorus & Student Ensembles
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About Us
The Erie Philharmonic Chorus, a volunteer, adult choir, began its great tradition in April 1953, singing “La Traviata” under the baton of conductor Fritz Mahler, nephew to the great composer and conductor Gustav Mahler.
Now including three youth choirs encompassing grades 3-12, the Erie Philharmonic Chorus has grown to a powerhouse organization that amplifies the Erie Philharmonic while also featuring high-quality vocal ensembles for youth singers in our area.
23 West 10th Street, Erie, PA 16501
(814) 455-1375 ext. 117
Philharmonic Chorus, Business Manager
Cathy Gilham · chorus@eriephil.org
Student Ensembles, Business Manager
Sharon Anderson · youthchoir@eriephil.org
Erie Philharmonic Director of Community Programs
Lisa Herring · lisa@eriephil.org
Philharmonic Chorus Ensembles
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Students in Grades 3-5
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This ensemble is designed for youth in sixth through eighth grade and will provide foundational vocal and musical training for aspiring young singers.
Singers will learn quality repertoire and work on individual skills in a challenging, stimulating and fun environment as well as interact with professional musicians on the performing stage.
The Youth Chorale rehearses on Monday evenings.
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The Erie Junior Philharmonic Chorus is an auditioned high school group comprised of the finest available talented singers from the Erie area. The goal of the ensemble is to create a performance ensemble which offers high school students the opportunity to sing with other outstanding students, while performing with the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus as well as singing as an independent concert choir throughout the region.
The Junior Chorus rehearses on Monday evenings.
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Under the leadership of Thomas Brooks, The Philharmonic Chorus regularly appears on both the Symphonic Series and Pops Series of the Erie Philharmonic and presents independently produced concerts.
Recent Symphonic performances include Beethoven’s Mass in C, Brahms' Requiem, Britten's War Requiem, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Verdi’s Requiem, and most recently Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. The Chorus also annually presents Handel’s Messiah and other concerts featuring smaller choral works.
This group consists of high school graduates and adults from the Erie region.
The Erie Philharmonic Chamber Choir’s membership consists of 22 to 28 auditioned singers drawn from the larger Philharmonic Chorus. Its concerts include a diverse repertoire from six centuries of choral music including works by Bach, Elders and Whitaker. Enriching the culture of the surrounding community as well as sharing its passion for choral singing is the primary mission of the choir. Performances are held throughout western Pennsylvania.
The Philharmonic Chorus rehearses Tuesday evenings from 6:30-9pm.
Meet the Directors & Staff
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Thomas Brooks
Director & Conductor of Philharmonic Chorus and Junior Chorus
As a conductor and clinician C. Thomas Brooks has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, including such venues as Carnegie Hall in New York City, Victoria Hall in Geneva, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and the Salzburg Cathedral in Salzburg, Austria. In the Northeast he is well-known as a choral conductor, voice teacher, college professor, opera conductor, and clinician.
After retiring from his positions in Boston, he and his late wife Susan made their home in Erie on a 150 acre family farm with Henry, their dog. He now continues to work with choirs leading workshops and conducting choirs of the Erie Philharmonic.
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Sharon Downey
Director of Children's Chorus and Youth Chorale
Prior to joining the Philharmonic staff, she was the Music Director at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul in Erie, PA, where she served from 1991 until her retirement in 2022. Her Cathedral Choir sang abroad at Canterbury Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, and Coventry Cathedral. Ms. Downey has served as guest conductor for Chorister Festivals across the US and for the PMEA Songfest in 2023. She is a graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, IN, where she earned degrees in organ performance and choral conducting.
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Dr. Sarah Kahl
Accompanist & Piano Lab Instructor
Dr. Sarah Kahl is the accompanist for the Erie Philharmonic Choirs. She also serves as the piano lab instructor for their student ensembles. Kahl has extensive background in piano pedagogy and has taught piano and multi-level classes in the group piano setting at universities in Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Pennsylvania. She also serves as a collaborative pianist at Mercyhurst University. Kahl is an active performer in the Erie area where she performs with established musicians and students alike. In addition to her performance roles, she is the Music Coordinator at Church of the Cross in Fairview, PA, and operates a private piano studio.
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Cathy Gilham
Business Manager for Philharmonic Chorus
Cathy has been singing with vocal ensembles since 1994 and auditioned for the Erie Philharmonic Chorus in 2014 when she and her husband Tom first located to Erie. During her time with the Chorus she has served as the Chorus Librarian, been active on the Chorus standing committee, and is a member of the Erie Philharmonic Board of Governors.
In addition to her work with the Chorus, Cathy works as an IT Analyst in the Enterprise Technology Office at Erie Insurance and also serves as Treasurer of the First Presbyterian Church of Girard.
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Sharon Anderson
Business Manager for Erie Philharmonic Chorus Student Ensembles
Sharon joined the team after retiring from an 18-year career in senior living. She enjoys playing violin in the Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra in her spare time. Sharon is also an alumnus of the Erie Junior Philharmonic.
Audition Information
We would love to have you in one of our ensembles! Although we hold auditions periodically throughout the year,
our main auditions are in August before the fall season starts.
Please see requirements below and complete the appropriate form. Someone will reach out with the next audition date.
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Demonstrate ability to sing at age-appropriate level, match pitch, and echo short phrases.
Singers should be prepared to sing a simple song such as Happy Birthday, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star or Jingle Bells without accompaniment during the audition.
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Auditions will consist of tonal memory, pitch, and basic music exercises. You do not need to have a prepared piece for auditions.
Digital Piano Lab
Open to members of the Erie Philharmonic Chorus Student Ensembles.
During each chorus rehearsal, students will be given the opportunity to visit our state-of-the-art Roland digital piano lab, where Dr. Sarah Kahl instructs students in piano skills, music theory, composition and more!
This innovative training experience is offered at no extra charge for all students enrolled in our Chorus Student Ensembles.
Let’s be friends!
The Erie Philharmonic Chorus is the region’s premier choir group. The Chorus has grown to include three incredible youth choirs as well as a second adult ensemble, the Chamber Choir. We have achieved a great deal within each of these ensembles including vocal Camps, workshops, special performances, collaborating with local music educators, and community events.
Joining the Friends of the Chorus is simple! Donate $50 or more to become a Friend of the Chorus and together we can bring our community together through song.
You’ll receive a lapel pin to commemorate your support.
Friends of the Chorus receive benefits such as:
Early access to ticket sales including our Messiah performances and Fundraising Soiree
Name recognition in our printed programs
Invitations to “meet the chorus” at events and social outings
Invitations to chorus rehearsals
And more!
We can’t wait to show you what’s in store for the future! Thank you for supporting us as we advance and celebrate vocal music in our community.
