Events & Dates
2025/2026/2027 Seasons by date (upcoming events listed first)
November 22, 2026 | “An American Tune” celebrating 250 years of American music with guest artist Shawn Kirchner – Morango, CA
Diablo Valley College presents a festival concert led by Dr. Bret Peppo featuring the breadth and depth of American music, with a special feature on the work of Shawn Kirchner, with the composer singing and playing.
Concert 4:00pm at St. Mary’s College Chapel, Morago, CA
November 5, 2026 | Great Hall Choral Arts Festival at Bethel College with Merrin Guice Gill and guest artist Shawn Kirchner – St. Paul, MN
An all-day festival for regional high school choirs culminates in an evening concert featuring Kirchner’s choral works with the composer at the piano.
October 30, 2026 | “Frost Chorale featuring Shawn Kirchner” — Frost Chorale & Frost Honor Choirs – Miami, FL
Dr. Matthew Brady and Dr. Gene Peterson conduct a wide array of Kirchner’s choral works, performed by the Frost Chorale and the 2026 Frost Honors Choir, with Kirchner at the piano.
September 27, 2026 | Los Angeles Master Chorale: Brahm’s Requiem & Bruckner Te Deum
The LA Master Chorale opens its Silver Anniversary season celebrating Grant Gershon’s artistic leadership with two choral/orchestral masterpieces. This season also marks Kirchner’s 25th year as a tenor with the Chorale, entering with Maestro Gershon in 2001.
September 19, 2026 | “Acoustic Juice” Live Local Music featuring Ryan Harrison & Shawn Kirchner on Jazz Standards and Original Tunes – La Verne, CA
La Verne Church of the Brethren hosts a courtyard concert featuring a Harrison & Kirchner jazz set, along with Americana musician David Hostetler and singer-songwriter Paul Rodriguez.
Concert 6pm at La Verne Church of the Brethren, Free Will Offering
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 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.
March 21, 2026 | The Master Chorale Sings in Sacred Places – La Verne, CA
Experience the Master Chorale in intimate, sacred spaces. A truly transcendent musical experience, This Shining Night features works from Shawn Kirchner and more of today’s most visionary and groundbreaking choral composers: Eric Whitacre, Reena Esmail, Morten Lauridsen, and others.
March 15, 2026 | The Master Chorale Sings in Sacred Places – Pasadena, CA
Experience the Master Chorale in intimate, sacred spaces. A truly transcendent musical experience, This Shining Night features works from Shawn Kirchner and more of today’s most visionary and groundbreaking choral composers: Eric Whitacre, Reena Esmail, Morten Lauridsen, and others.
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
Subscribe to my newsletter!
Stay up-to-date on new music, events, and more exciting news.