Events & Dates
2024/2025/2026 Seasons by date (new to old)
August 23-28, 2026 | International Federation of Choral Music, World Symposium – Macau
After being an exchange student in China 1990/91, Kirchner will return to the region for the first time in years(!) for the 2026 World Symposium of Choral Music. Kirchner’s works were featured prominently at the last World Symposium in Istanbul (2023) in concerts by the invited US representative choir, George State University Singers, led by Dr. Deanna Joseph.
IFCM – International Federation for Choral Music | World Symposium on Choral Music
July 2026 | Santa Fe Desert Chorale summer season, Kirchner premiere – Santa Fe, NM
Summer Season 2026 to be announced. Kirchner is commissioned to write a significant sacred work, intended as a sequel to Heavenly Home: Three American Songs, recorded by the Desert Chorale on their The Road Home recording. Joshua Habermann, Artistic Director.
June 1-15, 2026 | Spain Tour – The Sanctuary Choir of the La Verne Church of the Brethren (CA)
The Sanctuary Choir’s fifth international tour takes them to northern Spain. Highlights to include a combined choir concert with Coro Gospel Good News of Valladolid, the community choir whose public library flashmob went viral on YouTube. Led by Dr. Nike St. Clair, with Kirchner as pianist and composer-in-residence.
May 31, 2026 | LA Master Chorale presents Sound Waves: Music of Esmail, Garrett, and Woo – Los Angeles, CA
Maestro Grant Gershon and the singers of the LA Master Chorale present Reena Esmail’s Malhaar: A Requiem for Water and new works by Marques Garrett and Hyowon Woo. For more information and tickets:
May 14-22, 2026 | Dr. Rick Bjella’s FESTIVAL OF THREE Baltic Tour and Kirchner Premiere
At Dr. Bjella’s invitation, Kirchner is commissioned to write a work for the three distinguished ensembles comprising the festival choir, with performances in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
More information about Dr. Bjella: Richard Bjella – American Choral Directors Association
May 9, 2026, 4 pm | Cappella Festiva’s 50 th Anniversary Concert at Vassar College Chapel – Poughkeepsie, NY
Cappella Festiva’s 50th anniversary concert features a celebratory premiere by Kirchner.
Dr. Christine Howlett, Artistic Director.
April 16-18, 2026 | New Hampshire All-State Choir Festival – Concord, NH
New Hampshire Music Educators Association presents the 2026 All State Music Festival. Amanda Hanzlik and Kirchner reprise their partnership from 2025 New Jersey All-State, co-leading the New Hampshire All State SATB choir. Featuring Kirchner’s choral works and the works of other leading contemporary composers.
All-State Music Festival – New Hampshire Music Educators Association
March 26-28, 2026 | North Dakota All-State Choir Festival – Bismarck, ND
Kirchner leads the North Dakota All-State Mixed Choir, featuring his own choral works and other historic and contemporary choral classics. Carly Grander and Tony Peterson, ND All-State Mixed Choir, co-chairs.
February 25-28, 2026 | ENVISION 2026: ACDA Eastern Regional Conference – Providence, RI
The Eastern Region of the American Choral Directors Association (Amanda Hanzlik, Regional President) present their bi-annual conference. Kirchner presents a Music in Worship session, leading from the piano in a reading session of a wide variety of his sacred works for congregation and choir.
February 7-8, 2026 | Music Festival Weekend at Plymouth Congregational Church – Lincoln, NE
Tom Trenney and Kirchner co-lead the musicians of Plymouth Congregational Church in an inspiring weekend of music-making, culminating in a music-filled Sunday service.
February 5-6, 2026 | Nebraska High School Choral Festival at Nebraska Wesleyan University – Lincoln, NE
Culminating concert: February 6, 2025 at 7 pm
Co-led with Tom Trenney, the Wesleyan Honors Choir explores the choral works of Trenney and Kirchner, with the gentlemen trading off at the podium and keyboard. Held on the campus of Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Complete schedule: Wesleyan Honors Choir | Nebraska Wesleyan University
February 1, 2026, 7 pm | LA Master Chorale presents Common Ground: The Music of Gorecki and Jeff Beal – Los Angeles, CA
Associate Artistic Director Jenny Wong leads the singers of the LA Master Chorale in the premiere performance of Jeff Beal’s The Beatitudes (with the composer on trumpet), paired with Gorecki’s Miserere, written in 1981 during the Polish Solidarity movement in resistance to the Soviet-backed authoritarian regime. For more information and tickets:
January 5-23, 2026 | Blackwell Prize in Music (Residency) – Newnan, GA
Recipient of the 2026 Blackwell Prize in Music, administered by the University of West
Georgia, Kirchner is in writing residency at Gray Cottage combined with presentations,
teaching, and a choral festival. More information on public events forthcoming.
Information on the Blackwell Prizes: Event Series and Awards | UWG
December 21, 2025, 7 pm | La Verne Church of the Brethren presents The Light of Hope Returning – La Verne, CA
Reprising the 2022 performance, the Sanctuary Choir of the La Verne Church of the Brethren under the direction of Dr. Nike St. Clair presents resident composer/pianist/organist Shawn Kirchner’s folk oratorio for Christmas/Winter Solstice.
December 20, 2025 | LA Master Chorale presents Carols for Kids/Festival of Carols – Los Angeles, CA
Concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall: 11am – Carols for Kids, 2pm – Festival of Carols
Maestro Grant Gershon and the LA Master Chorale present a variety of seasonal carols, program traditionally including several Kirchner favorites. For more information and tickets:
Los Angeles Master Chorale | Walt Disney Concert Hall | Carols for Kids
Los Angeles Master Chorale | Walt Disney Concert Hall | FESTIVAL OF CAROLS
December 14, 2025, 4 pm | The Light of Hope Returning at the Village Church – Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Juan Carlos Acosta and Village Church Chancel Choir/ Village Community Chorale present Kirchner’s Christmas folk oratorio, with Kirchner at the piano. For more information:
Juan Carlos Acosta and Music Ministry at the Village Church.
December 13, 2025, 4 pm | La Verne Church of the Brethren presents The Light of Hope Returning – La Verne, CA
Reprising the 2022 performance, the Sanctuary Choir of the La Verne Church of the Brethren under the direction of Dr. Nike St. Clair presents resident composer/pianist/organist Shawn Kirchner’s folk oratorio for Christmas/Winter Solstice.
December 5-6, 2025 | Vox Pacifica presents The Light of Hope Returning – Bellingham, WA
Concerts: Friday, December 5 at 7pm, and Saturday, December 6 at 3pm at First Congregational Church of Bellingham
Vox Pacifica and Artistic Director Wendy Bloom present Kirchner’s folk oratorio forWinter Solstice. For more information and tickets:
Upcoming Events | Bellingham Choir Performances | Vox Pacifica
November 9, 2025, 7 pm | LA Master Chorale presents LA Sings! What a Beautiful City – Los Angeles, CA
Led by Maestro Grant Gershon and MUSE/IQUE Artistic Director, Rachael Worby, celebrating the vibrant culture of singing in Los Angeles. For more information and tickets:
Los Angeles Master Chorale | Walt Disney Concert Hall | LA SINGS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CITY
October 9-12 2025 | LA Philharmonic & LA Master Chorale present Mahler’s 2nd Symphony – Los Angeles, CA
Concerts: Wall Disney Concert Hall
October 9th – 8 pm (Thursday) | October 10th – 11 am (Friday) | October 11th – 8 pm (Saturday) | October 12th – 8 pm (Sunday)
Gustavo Dudamel conducts the epic 2 nd Symphony of Gustav Mahler. Concert at LA’s Walt Disney Concert Hall. For more information and tickets:
October 5, 2025, 7 pm | LA Master Chorale presents Two Titans: Music of Beethoven & Verdi – Los Angeles, CA
Beethoven’s Mass in C Major and Verdi’s Four Sacred Pieces in the opening concert of Maestro Grant Gershon’s 25 th season as Music Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Concert at LA’s Walt Disney Concert Hall. For more information and tickets:
October 5, 2025, 7 pm | LA Master Chorale presents Two Titans: Music of Beethoven & Verdi – Los Angeles, CA
Beethoven’s Mass in C Major and Verdi’s Four Sacred Pieces in the opening concert of Maestro Grant Gershon’s 25 th season as Music Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Concert at LA’s Walt Disney Concert Hall. For more information and tickets:
October 1-3, 2025 | Residency with the Choral Program of Brigham Young University – Provo, UT
Concert: Tuesday evening, October 3rd
Hosted by Andrew Crane and Brent Wells, a residency featuring the choral music of Kirchner, with Kirchner at the keyboard, in master classes, etc.
September 15-16, 2025 | SICC Southern Choral Conference – Santa Clarita, CA
SICC Showcase Concert, Main Street Baptist Church at 7:30 pm – Monday, September 15th
SICC Honor choir Program, Main Street Baptist Churct at 3:30 pm – Tuesday, September 16th
Hosted by Gregory Fuller, PhD, University of Southern Mississippi, and co-led with Dr. Jabarie Glass and Dr. Bret Peppo. Kirchner at the piano on his own works in concerts and reading sessions.
SICC | School of Music | The University of Southern Mississippi
June 8, 2025, 4 pm | “Silver Celebration” Santa Clarita, CA
Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at 4 pm
Santa Clarita Master Chorale presents the finale concert of a jubilant 25th anniversary season, featuring a commission by Shawn
June 5-7, 2025 | “Sack of Hammers” Folk Festival Tonasket, WA
“Sack of Hammers” folk festival on the Roberts-Kinzie banks of the Okanagan River with Shawn’s mentor Steve Kinzie
May 10-17, 2025 | Parma, Italy
Farmhouse Screenwriting Intensive – Writing Workshop with Laura Harrington and Tobias Jones
The setting for Shawn’s 2025 professional growth trip (focus on developing Broadway musical plots)
May 4, 2025, 7pm | Walt Disney Concert Hall
Dream Requiem, composed by Rufus Wainwright, with guest narrator Jane Fonda
Presented by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Grant Gershon, conductor
April 4-6, 2025 | Community Chorus Collaboration, Port Townsend, WA
Friday, April 4th | First Presbyterian Church, Port Townsend, WA at 7 pm
Saturday, April 5th | Trinity Methodist Church, Sequim, WA at 3 pm
Sunday, April 6th | Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Chimacum, WA at 3 pm
Choral Festival with collaborating choirs featuring guest composer and pianist, Shawn Kirchner
Hosted by Jon Stafford of Community Chorus with Peninsula Community Chorus
Mar. 29, 2025, 9am – 5pm | University of Toledo Center for the Performing Arts,
Toledo, OH
Culminating concert at 5:30 pm featuring the choirs with guest clinician, Shawn Kirchner
Hosted by Dr. Jason Stumbo, Director of Choral Activities, University of Toledo Center for the Performing Arts
Mar. 23, 2025, 5pm | Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, Dallas, TX
Combined concert of Santa Fe Desert Chorale and Orpheus Chamber Singers
Featuring the Desert Chorale’s 2023 Summer Concert Program, The American Immigrant Experience in abbreviated form and Kirchner’s Heavenly Home: Three American Songs, Josh Habermann & J.D. Burnett conducting
Mar. 18-22, 2025, Dallas, TX | ACDA National Conference
American Choral Directors Association National Conference
Announcing the publication of The Light of Hope Returning by Boosey & Hawkes, available at the Boosey& Hawkes section of the Hal Leonard exhibit in Meyerson Symphony Center, daily hours: 8am – 3pm, 7 -8pm
Kirchner presents in the Composer Expo on Friday afternoon 4:30 – 6:30 at the Dallas Sheraton
Feb. 27, 2025, at 7pm | Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford, CT
“Vespers & Hymn-Sing” led by and featuring the music of Shawn Kirchner
Hosted by music director Amanda Hanzlik
Feb. 20-23, 2025 | Convention Center of Atlantic City, NJ
New Jersey Music Educators Association State Conference and All-State Festival
Kirchner “at the keys” with conductor Amanda Hanzlik, co-leading the New Jersey All-State Treble Choir.
Featuring Kirchner’s Ca’ the Yowes and O What a Beautiful City
Jan. 26, 2025 | Benefit for Fire Relief – House Concert, Santa Monica, CA
Home of Harriet Fraser, Santa Monica, CA
2nd annual house concert performance of The Light of Hope Returning, with LA Master Chorale singers, violinist Vijay Gupta and Shawn at the piano.
Benefit partner: MusiCares
Jan. 19, 2025 at 7pm | Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles
Lift Every Voice | Jason Max Ferdinand Conducts!
The Los Angeles Master Chorale presents its first collaboration with Jason Max Ferdinand in a concert specially curated by the renowned guest conductor, and featuring the world premiere of his own LAMC-commissioned composition.
Dec. 14 & Dec. 21, 2024 at 4pm | La Verne Church of the Brethren, La Verne, CA
La Verne Church of the Brethren presents Christmas works for choir, organ, and brass
Featured works: John Rutter’s Gloria, Kirchner’s medieval carol suite Behold New Joy, and Mary-Jean Konkel-White’s
Joy to the World – Festival Variations.
Dr. Nike St. Clair, conductor
Dec. 3, 2024, 7pm | First United Methodist Church, Pasadena, CA
Pasadena Chorale’s 3 rd annual performance of Kirchner’s The Light of Hope Returning
With the composer at the piano for a piano-only accompaniment of the work, Dr. Jeffrey Bernstein, conductor.
Nov. 30, 2024, 7:30pm & Dec. 1, 2024 at 4pm | Pacific Spirit United Church, Vancouver,B.C.
Elektra Choir presents Kirchner’s folk oratorio The Light of Hope Returning
animation by Kevork Mourad, conducted by Morna Edmundson.
Steve Kinzie, dedicatee of the work in attendance.
Nov. 24, 2024, 3:30pm | Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ
The Princeton Chapel Choir led by Dr. Nicole Aldrich present “I Am Waiting” an Advent concert
Featuring organist Eric Plutz, Bach’s Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, and the world premiere of the Princeton-commissioned Princeton Motets by Kirchner to text of poet Euan Tait. An open conversation with the conductor, composer, and poet precedes the concert, at 2:30pm.
Nov. 10, 2024, 7pm | Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles
“All You Need is Love” – The Los Angeles Master Chorale’s ‘LA Sings!’ “Big Sing” event
Rachael Worby and Grant Gershon, co-conductors, with MUSE/IQUE, program also featuring LAMC on Kirchner’s Unclouded Day
Oct. 28-30, 2024 | Linn-Benton Community College, Albany, Oregon
Kirchner composer residency hosted by Raymund Ocampo, LBCC Dir. of Choral Activities
Culminating concert on campus: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 7pm
Oct. 6, 2024, 7pm | Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles
“Sing Joyfully” — The Los Angeles Master Chorale’s 60th Anniversary Celebration Concert
Featuring classic works by Byrd, Tomkins, Bruckner, Rheinberger, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky,
and modern classics by Gorecki, Copland, Lauridsen, Parker, Copland, Hogan.
Grant Gershon, conductor
More event announcements soon…
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