Mission Statement
The Lancaster Chorale is a mixed (SATB) choral ensemble whose mission is to perform distinguished choral music with live instruments, to the glory of God and for the edification of the community. Membership is open to all singers committed to perform fine music to the highest standards of excellence.
History and Bios
Beginnings
The Chorale was founded in 2001 by its former director, Thomas Cozzoli. The group quickly attained local notice as it presented concerts featuring great sacred masterworks, many with live orchestra.
Second conductor
In December 2008, Mr. Cozzoli retired as conductor and was succeeded by then assistant conductor, Dr. Al Lunde, formerly chair of the music department at Cairn University in Philadelphia.
Third conductor
Jonathan Rajaseelan took over the helm from Dr. Lunde in 2017. Jonathan has a B.A. in music from Yale University in music (organ and conducting) and a B.S. in biochemistry. Sadly, he moved out of the area in 2019.
Current leadership
In the fall of 2019, Dr. Bruce Gerlach made his debut with TLC. However, in early March of 2020 the group suspended activities due to the global pandemic. It was in September of 2022 that the Chorale resumed music making. The featured work at the November concert was Gloria by Antonio Vivaldi.
Leadership
Dr. Bruce Gerlach - current musical director
Dr. Bruce Gerlach - current musical director
Dr. Bruce Gerlach - current musical director
Lancaster County native, Bruce is Professor Emeritus at College of the Ozarks near Branson, MO where he served for 23 years. He is currently professor of theory and composition (half-time) at Lancaster Bible College.
Jonathan Rajaseelan
Dr. Bruce Gerlach - current musical director
Dr. Bruce Gerlach - current musical director
Jonathan served as the 3rd conductor. He is currently research fellow in molecular immunology at the National Institute of Health in Washington, D.C. and organist at
Falls Church Episcopal in Virginia.
Dr. Al Lunde - Associate Conductor
Dr. Al Lunde - Associate Conductor
Dr. Al Lunde - Associate Conductor
Chair Emeritus at Cairn University (formerly Philadelphia Biblical University) BA in Music Ed, Western Washington University, MMus, Northwestern University, DMA, Southwestern Baptist Seminary. ThM Dallas Theological Seminary.
Thomas Cozzoli - founder
Dr. Al Lunde - Associate Conductor
Dr. Al Lunde - Associate Conductor
Founded and conducted four civic choruses in Washington, D.C., New York, Alabama, and Lancaster. He was Producer/Director for NBC News on David Brinkley's staff, the senior producer of motion pictures for the IBM Corporation and is President of ProSource Marketing.