Celebrating our 50th season
Consonance – Chicago Choral Artists has been a leader of choral music in Chicagoland for fifty years. Together we sing new compositions by contemporary composers and classical masterworks of the choral canon.
We’re Hiring!
Consonance is seeking a contractor to serve as Manager, supporting the organization’s operations, concerts, and administrative work.
Announcing our 2026—2027 Season
9 & 11 OCTOBER 2026
Considering Matthew Shepard
Join us for a moving performance of Considering Matthew Shepard by Craig Hella Johnson. This powerful oratorio reflects on the life and legacy of Matthew Shepard, weaving together poetry, personal reflections, and diverse musical styles to tell a story of loss, compassion, and hope. Through music that is both intimate and profound, this work invites us to remember, to reflect, and to recommit ourselves to dignity, understanding, and love.
18 & 20 DECEMBER 2026
Carols for Peace in Our Time
Join us for an evening of choral music centered on the theme of peace. Through reflective sacred works, moving contemporary pieces, and joyful seasonal selections, this program explores peace in our hearts, our communities, and our world. From moments of quiet stillness to vibrant celebrations of unity, the music invites us to embrace compassion, hope, and the power of coming together in song.
20 & 21 March 2027
St. John’s Passion
We join the Bach Cantata Vespers series at Grace Lutheran Church for two compelling performances of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. John Passion. This dramatic and deeply moving masterwork brings the Passion narrative to life through powerful choruses, expressive arias, and Lutheran chorales. Balancing intensity with moments of profound reflection, Bach’s music invites listeners into a story of suffering, faith, and redemption. Scored for orchestra, soloists, and chorus, Bach’s St. John Passion remains one of the most stirring and transformative works in the choral repertoire.
14 & 16 MAY 2027
Two Streams: Mercy and Love
Join us for an evening of music for chorus, soloists, and string orchestra, inspired by the theme “Two Streams: Mercy and Love.” Featuring Two Streams by Daniel Knaggs and The Hope of Loving by Jake Runestad, this program explores the ways mercy and love flow through our lives—shaping our relationships, our communities, and our understanding of one another.
Past Concerts
Dec 2024 & Dec 2025
A Christmas Carol
With imaginative arrangements of traditional carols and vibrant original music by Benedict Sheehan, this performance promises to bring the festive spirit to life and present an engaging musical dramatization of Charles Dickens’ beloved tale.
01 & 03 Nov 2024
Requiem
In the fall, we embark on a profound journey with Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece, the Verdi Requiem, in a fresh chamber orchestra version. This timeless work, composed in memory of the poet Alessandro Manzoni, is a tour de force of choral depth and expressive power.
29 & 30 Mar 2025
Mass in B Minor
Partnering with the Bach Canata Vespers Chorus, we pay homage to the master of Baroque music with J.S. Bach’s transcendent Mass in B Minor. Regarded as one of the supreme achievements of choral music, it is a monumental work of unparalleled beauty and complexity.
30 May & 01 June 2025
We Look to the Stars
We are thrilled to announce that our season will culminate with Juhi Bansal’s “We Look to the Stars.” This cantata for SATB chorus, percussion, harp, and vocal soloists celebrates the wonders of the night sky. The concert will also feature additional works by Marybeth Kurnat and Dan Forrest.
03 & 05 Oct 2025
Sacrificial Love: Human and Divine
From Frank Martin’s Mass for Double Choir to music for solo cello and choir, the entire program is one of introspection, giving listeners and singers alike the opportunity to meditate on words of sacrifice, of mercy, of love. We will be joined by cellist Jean Hatmaker.
20 & 22 mar 2026
Here I Am
Jocelyn Hagen’s Here I Am is a multimedia symphony honoring the voices of women across time and culture. Featuring choir and orchestra conducted by Michael D. Costello with live projected portraiture, it reflects on the legacy of the 19th Amendment, with GRAMMY®-nominated soprano Laura Strickling and Spirito Singers, conducted by Carling FitzSimmons.
Our Story
Consonance is a word that defines different components or people standing in harmony with one another, a perfect way to describe a choir comprised of people with different backgrounds who join as one to create beautiful music.
Consonance has been a leader of choral music in Chicagoland since 1975. With a unified vision we perform the music our audience craves.
Our Director
An accomplished musician, composer, and conductor, Michael Costello has been skillfully leading Consonance for 10 years.
Our Mission
We believe that choral music should be enjoyed by all people and encourage and embrace our collective differences.
Connect With Us
Explore the latest news from our ensemble and stay connected with our musicians, leadership team, and patrons.
Connect With Us
Whether through email, Facebook, or Instagram, we would love to stay connected with you. By following our platforms, you can stay up to date on the latest ticket deals, concert information, announcements, and more.