The Calgary Philharmonic Chorus is a group of more than 160 volunteer singers from all walks of life who deliver excellence in the performance of choral music and promote the enjoyment and development of choral singing in Calgary communities. Established in 1963, the Chorus is a professional-level performing partner to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and one of only two choruses in Canada that is part of a major professional symphony orchestra. The Chorus, led by Chorus Director Mark Bartel, performs a wide variety of repertoire, including oratorio, opera, classical standards, pop favourites, and commissioned new works. In a typical season, the acclaimed ensemble is featured in four to eight concerts with the Orchestra.

The concert features two works by two Black Canadian composers:  R. Nathaniel Dett’s oratorio Chariot Jubilee, and Manitoba composer Larry Strachan’s St. Cecilia Anthem. Both works feature organist Chellan Hoffman and chorus principal tenor Jason Ragan in the Chariot Jubilee.The concert also includes the moving piece “I Rise” by Alberta composer Laura Hawley, which was commissioned by the Calgary Phil in 2022 and “Your Harps and Cymbals Sound” from G. F. Handel’s oratorio Solomon, scored for double chorus.  These works are accompanied by Assistant Chorus Director, Evan Mounce.  The concert is conducted by Chorus Director, Mark Bartel.

Dr. Mark Bartel – Chorus Director

Dr. Mark Bartel is in demand as a versatile conductor and music educator. He has conducted university choirs for over 25 years and has extensive experience leading a wide range of community choirs in both Canada and the United States. He is the Chorus Director of the Calgary Philharmonic Chorus and has also served as Artistic Director of the Calgary’s Spiritus Chamber Choir. Mark is Associate Professor of Music at Ambrose University, where he conducts the University Singers and teachers in the areas of applied voice, conducting, and music history. He holds degrees from the University of Winnipeg, Canadian Mennonite University, Southern Methodist University, and a DMA in conducting from the Eastman School of Music. Mark is a passionate advocate for the impact of singing in the lives of individuals, in communities, and in society at large.

Jason Ragan – Tenor Soloist

Jason is a regular member of Calgary’s professional chamber choir, the JUNO-nominated Luminous Voices, as well as Tenor Section principal with the Calgary Phil Chorus. He has been a soloist with the Calgary Bach Society, Festival Chorus, Bow Valley Chorus, Lethbridge Symphony, Okanagan Symphony, and Firebird Symphony. Jason is a proud graduate of the McPhee Artist Development Program with Calgary Opera.

Evan Mounce – Pianist and Assistant Chorus Director

Calgary-based pianist and vocal coach Evan Mounce is in demand as a leader and collaborator. Evan is Assistant Chorus Director of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Répétiteur with Calgary Opera, and Director of Music at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. As a vocal coach Evan has worked with kd lang, preparing her for her 25th anniversary tour of Ingenue. Recent collaborations include work with Luminous Voices, Spiritus Chamber Choir, and Edmonton Opera. With his wife Laura Brandt, Evan has presented numerous recitals including for the Mountain View International Festival of Song and Chamber Music and the ProArts Recital Series, and together they have performed on two river cruises from Budapest to Amsterdam as ambassadors of Calgary Opera. 

Chellan Hoffman, MMus, BMus, BEd, CRCCO  – Organist

Chellan is an enthusiastic advocate for the pipe organ. She has been active in the Calgary music community since 1992 as a collaborator, a church musician (Christ Church, Grace Presbyterian, and Knox United), a freelance organist/keyboardist, and as an organ tuning assistant with Pipework Inc. In 1996 and 2006 respectively, Chellan earned her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in organ performance from the University of Calgary. She is organ instructor at Mount Royal Conservatory and a sessional organ instructor at the University of Calgary with nine students in total. In recent years, Chellan has enjoyed performing as an ensemble organist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, Calgary Civic Symphony, and Regina Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.  A member of The Royal Canadian College of Organists (est. 1909), Chellan is currently serving as national President from 2024-26, and is editor of their flagship magazine, Organ Canada. 

This concert is the second in what will be several Choral Concerts during 2025 that is generously sponsored by: