Our Beginnings

In the summer of 2001, Cynthia Haberman Marlette assembled a small, dedicated group of vocalists who recognized a lack of choral opportunities for adult singers in the Coeur d'Alene area, and made a decision to form a new chorale. The Northwest Sacred Music Chorale was born, and the following mission statement was adopted:

"The Northwest Sacred Music Chorale exists to promote and celebrate the tradition of sacred choral music in Coeur d'Alene, by giving singers in the region an opportunity to participate in a community choir that performs quality sacred choral music."

Where We Are Today

2007-08 launches our eighth anniversary season, and in this brief history, our original intentions have been met. We are incorporated and maintain a 501(C)3 tax exempt status.

We have performed to very enthusiastic audiences, some of which have been "standing room only!" We have been recognized by other musical organizations in the Inland Northwest as witnessed by the invitation we received from the Spokane area "Cathedral In The Arts" series to participate in the April 2003 production of MISSA GAIA at the Cathedral of St. Hohn, the Evangelist.

Our Repertoire

Some of our repertoire highlights have included John Rutter's Gloria with brass, organ and percussion, Hayden's Mass In Time of War with full orchestra, and Vivaldi's Gloria and Beetoven's Ninth Symphony as joint collaborations with the Coeur d'Alene Symphony Orchestra. We are committed to performing outstanding choral music from yesterday to today. The future of the Northwest Sacred Music Chorale is bright. We are pleased to have John Lemke as our conductor and Gaynell Coppess as assistant conductor. Our talented accompanist is Marietta Hardy.

Welcome to Our 2007 - 2008 Season!

Welcome to the 2007/2008 concert season of the Northwest Sacred Music Chorale! After a very busy concert season last year, which had us performing a broad array of music in a wide variety of venues, we are even more excited about embarking on this year’s musical journey. And as our attendance continues to grow, we once again want to thank you so much for your support of our group.

Concert Schedule

November 3, 2007 7:30 PM and November 4, 2007, 2:00 PM

Our Fall Concert features selections from the John Rutter's Requiem, Mortin Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna, Johaness Brahms' A German Requiem, Mount of Olives by Ludwig van Beethoven, John Rutter's Gloria, and of course Handel's Messiah, at works by Gabnriel Faure, Felix Mendelssohn, local favorite Dan Bukvich, and other contemporary composers, and you'll experience a true "best of" concert.

December 19, 2007, 7:00 PM at a new venue -> St. Pius Catholic Church, 625 Haycraft Ave., in Coeur d'Alene

Our Christmas concert, "Come Home to the Sounds and Spirit of Christmas" will feature a wide variety of favorites performed by the Chorale, and once again we'll be joined by special guest artists Leslie Stratton Norris, harp, Dr.Paul Grove, guitar, Max Mendez, baritone, Cynthia Marlette, piano and the harmonies of the Sweet Adelines. There will no doubt be a surprise guest or two.

April 19, 2008, 7:30 PM and April 20, 2008, 2:00 PM

Gospel and other forms of contemporary sacred music, such as jazz, have always been audience favorites, so we're going to feature those genres in our final concert this season. The concert will be built around Michael Kissinger's Sacred Cantata, which features a number of different musical styles, from gospel to ballad to country, all done with a light jazz flair. We'll be rounding things out with other jazz and contemporary anthems, as well as a set of hand-clapping gospel pieces.