The Pasadena Chorale (Photo – Luis Luque)
One of California’s highest-profile free concert series returns for its 2026-27 season with nine free concerts and four ensembles: the award-winning Pasadena Chorale, Pasadena Choral Society, High Notes, and a 16-voice ensemble featuring selected singers from the Pasadena Chorale.
By Melanie Hooks
The season opens Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026, with Mozart: Mass in C-Minor, a performance of one of the composer’s profound and exhilarating sacred masterworks by the award-winning Pasadena Chorale at First United Methodist Church Pasadena. Every concert throughout the season will once again be presented free of charge, bringing choral performances to audiences without financial barriers.
“Every concert this season is an invitation to step away from the ordinary and experience something together: something that transports you, moves you, and stays with you. We invite you to take this journey with us,” said the Pasadena Chorale’s Founding Executive & Artistic Director Jeffrey Bernstein.
Following the success of its inaugural full season, Pasadena Choral Society enters 2026–27 with significant growth. The ensemble nearly doubled in size, increasing from 45 singers to 85 following a successful round of auditions in April 2026. The group will continue performing at San Marino Community Church, which has become the home of the Pasadena Chorale’s newest ensemble.
The Pasadena Chorale will continue performing most of its concerts at First United Methodist Church Pasadena, while the organization’s Listening to the Future concert returns to Pasadena Presbyterian Church.
Post-concert gatherings following Chorale performances at the AC Hotel Pasadena will also continue. This season, the tradition will expand to include Pasadena Choral Society concerts, providing audiences with opportunities to meet performers, local composers and fellow music lovers after each concert. The gatherings are free to attend, and no donation is required.
2026–27 Concert Season
- Mozart: Mass in C-Minor — Nov. 18, 2026
Pasadena Chorale at First United Methodist Church Pasadena - The Light of Hope Returning — Dec. 9, 2026
Shawn Kirchner’s winter classic, performed by Pasadena Chorale & High Notes at First United Methodist Church Pasadena - Baroque Christmas — Dec. 16, 2026
Music by Schütz, Vivaldi and Handel, performed by Pasadena Choral Society at San Marino Community Church - Awakenings — Mar. 10, 2027
“The sound of being human,” performed by 16 singers at San Marino Community Church - The Explorers: Part 1 — Apr. 7, 2027
Reena Esmail’s Earth Speaks, composed for the Pasadena Chorale in 2015, at First United Methodist Church Pasadena - Spring Sing — May 3, 2027
The High Notes annual solo concert at San Marino Community Church - Duruflé Requiem — May 12, 2027
Music of consolation performed by Pasadena Choral Society at San Marino Community Church - The Explorers: Part 2 — June 9, 2027
Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony, performed by Pasadena Chorale at First United Methodist Church Pasadena - Listening to the Future — June 19, 2027
World premieres by young composers, performed by Pasadena Chorale at Pasadena Presbyterian Church
Additional information, including concert details and free ticket reservations, will be announced throughout the season at pasadenachorale.org.
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