By Steve Jansen
Earlier this week, the group formerly known as the Phoenix Bach Choir announced that they have changed their name to the Phoenix Chorale. Along with the more contemporary-friendly sounding moniker comes a slick new logo (as seen above) and a cool redesigned Web site that is still in the works.
Personally, I think it's a great move for the organization, which will kick off its 50th anniversary season with "The Retro Concert" program at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 25, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. (For the Phoenix Chorale's full concert schedule, click here.) Not only will it create more synergy with the Kansas City Chorale (conductor and artistic director Charles Bruffy leads both the PHX and KC groups), but also the new name will more accurately reflect what the choral music ensemble is all about.
Along with the name change, the Grammy Award-winning group has big things planned for the 2008-09 season, which includes a full slate of concerts around the Valley, a new record, and their first ever concert in New York that's slated to take place at the Lincoln Center.
Also, in an unprecedented move, anyone who is 25 and younger can attend one of the Phoenix Chorale's amazing concerts for free. (More details can be found here.)
October 25 is a long ways away, so in the meantime, check out some of the Phoenix Chorale's tunes on MySpace.