Celebrating our 51st season
Consonance unites diverse voices in a common song, enriching audiences and the
broader community through outstanding performances of choral music.
Our 2026—2027 Season
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 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.
We will be joined by soloists Katelyn Lee, soprano, Sarah Ponder, mezzo soprano, Ace Gangoso, tenor, and Aaron Wardell, baritone.
All concerts are held at Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division St, River Forest, IL
Past Concerts
29 & 30 Mar 2025
Mass in B Minor
Partnering with the Bach Cantata Vespers Chorus, we paid homage to the master of Baroque music with J.S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor, a monumental work regarded as one of the supreme achievements of choral music.
30 May & 01 June 2025
We Look to the Stars
The season culminated with Juhi Bansal’s We Look to the Stars, a cantata for SATB chorus, percussion, harp, and vocal soloists celebrating the wonders of the night sky, alongside 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 works for solo cello and choir, an introspective program meditating on sacrifice, mercy, and love, with cellist Jean Hatmaker.
Dec 2024 & Dec 2025
A Christmas Carol
With imaginative carol arrangements and vibrant original music by Benedict Sheehan, this performance brought the festive spirit to life as an engaging musical dramatization of Charles Dickens’ beloved tale.
20 & 22 mar 2026
Here I Am
Jocelyn Hagen’s Here I Am, a multimedia symphony honoring the voices of women across time and culture, reflected on the legacy of the 19th Amendment with choir, orchestra, and live projected portraiture, featuring GRAMMY®-nominated soprano Laura Strickling and Spirito Singers.
9 & 11 OCT 2026
Considering Matthew Shepard
A moving performance of Craig Hella Johnson’s Considering Matthew Shepard, an oratorio weaving poetry, reflection, and diverse musical styles into a story of loss, compassion, and hope, followed by a talkback with historian and LGBTQ+ advocate Greg R. Baird.
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.
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