Loudoun
Chorale
About Us
ABOUT US
Mission
To share the joy and enhance the appreciation of choral music through high-quality performances that develop our skills, engage our audiences, and grow both our membership and our following.
Vision
We are the Loudoun Chorale, a colorful tapestry of voices from across our community, woven into a harmonious whole – one living, breathing expression of song.
We welcome all who revel in the joy of making music together and in the rich texture of diverse genres – sacred and secular, classical and contemporary, simple and grand.
We are committed to excellence, a balance of precision and artistry which we cultivate through the discipline of practice. Our craft is a vibrant gift that we share with our audiences to entertain and transport.
. . . And our song goes on, beautiful.
The Loudoun Chorale is a community-based arts organization which was created to respond to the need of local performers to offer quality music presentations on a continuing basis. The Chorale seeks to serve the community by continuing the long tradition of local vocal-arts groups to keep alive the musical treasures of the past, as well as providing a venue for today's musical experience. The Chorale does not require auditions and welcomes all who share the love of vocal music, either as performers or audience.
Max Nolan
Max Nolin is a choral conductor, music educator, and church musician based out Bethesda MD and Northern Virginia. As a music educator Max has a passion for inspiring students to become lifelong musicians. He is currently the Middle School Choir and Handbell Director at Norwood School, located in Bethesda, Maryland where he works with grades 5-8. Previously he was the grade 6-12 vocal music teacher at the Edmund Burke School, in Washington DC where he was responsible for developing and growing the vocal music program. Max is the artistic director of the Loudoun Chorale, a one hundred voice community choir based out of Leesburg, VA. Max has led the chorale in a diverse selection of choral music including major performances of Brahms’ German Requiem and Handel’s Messiah. Max is also the Sanctuary Choir Director at Bethesda United Methodist Church in Bethesda, Maryland where he prepares a volunteer choir in varied repertoire for weekly worship services.
Max received his Master of Music degree in choral conducting from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey under the guidance of Dr. Joe Miller. While at Westminster, Max was the assistant conductor of the school's touring and flagship ensemble, the Westminster Choir. He helped prepare the choir for their West Coast Tour and performances at Spoleto Festival USA. He also led them in a performance of the Poulenc Gloria on the Westminster Choir College campus. His choral singing experiences with the school included performances with the Philadelphia Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and Vienna Philharmonic. Max received his undergraduate degree from Baldwin Wallace University located outside of Cleveland, Ohio. At Baldwin Wallace, he double majored in voice performance and music history and literature while studying conducting with Dr. Dirk Garner. In 2021, the Foundation was pleased to be able to award scholarships to 75 motivated and deserving students. Here is a sampling of their inspiring stories.
Terry Sisk
Terry Sisk (organist/pianist), a native of Leesburg, is organist-choirmaster at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Leesburg. Mr. Sisk brings more than six decades of musical experience to the Loudoun Chorale as accompanist, performing on both piano and organ. His remarkable career has encompassed roles as performer, conductor, educator, arts advocate, and entrepreneur, while maintaining a lifelong dedication to music and the performing arts. Terry holds a degree with double majors in Piano Performance and German Literature and later pursued organ studies in Germany. Since first serving as a church musician at age fourteen, he has built an extraordinary career as a singer, conductor, organist, and accompanist, performing throughout Europe, Australia, and South America.
His contributions to the musical community extend beyond the concert stage. Terry has served on the boards and committees of the Waterford Concert Series and the Hunt Country Concert Series in Middleburg and was Dean of the American Guild of Organists during the organization's centennial celebration in New York City in 1996. Among the highlights of his distinguished career are two appearances conducting the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra in 2011 and 2013. In addition to his musical accomplishments, Terry founded and operated a travel company specializing in international performance tours, helping musicians experience cultures and audiences around the world.
Terry's roots in Loudoun County run deep. He traces his family's presence in the region to the 1760s, when his German ancestors settled in the community now known as Lovettsville. Today, he continues to share his artistry, experience, and passion for music with audiences and fellow musicians throughout the region. The Loudoun Chorale is honored to have Terry's exceptional musicianship and collaborative spirit at the keyboard.
History of the Loudoun Chorale
The Loudoun Chorale was founded in 1991 as an outgrowth of a smaller vocal ensemble known as Music in the Valley. Established to provide local singers with opportunities to perform quality choral music on a continuing basis, the Chorale quickly became a cornerstone of Loudoun County's cultural community.
From its inception, the Chorale embraced a mission of musical excellence, community participation, and accessibility. As a non-auditioned ensemble, it welcomed singers from diverse backgrounds and levels of experience, united by a shared love of choral music. This spirit of inclusion remains central to the organization's identity today.
Over the years, the Loudoun Chorale has grown into one of the region's leading community choral organizations. The ensemble has presented a rich and varied repertoire spanning centuries of musical tradition, including works by Handel, Gesualdo, Brahms, Elgar, Holst, Ralph Vaughan Williams, John Leavitt, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, René Clausen, Alan Hovhaness, and many others. Major performances have included Handel's Messiah, Bach cantatas, Mendelssohn's Hymn of Praise, and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
The Chorale has frequently collaborated with other arts organizations, most notably the Loudoun Symphony, and has appeared at prestigious venues including the Washington National Cathedral. Performances have also become a familiar part of community life throughout Loudoun County, including appearances in Leesburg, Ashburn, Purcellville, and at the historic Waterford Fair.
During the 2000s and 2010s, the Chorale expanded its artistic reach through performances of both classical masterworks and contemporary compositions. Holiday concerts featured music from a variety of cultural traditions and languages, including works by Gustav Holst, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Morten Lauridsen, Daniel Elder, and numerous traditional carols from around the world. These programs reflected the Chorale's commitment to preserving treasured musical traditions while exploring new and diverse repertoire.
Under the leadership of Music Director William Propst, an accomplished educator, conductor, and performer, the Chorale continued to grow artistically and organizationally. Propst's background as a music educator, military musician, soloist, and conductor helped guide the ensemble through a period of ambitious programming and community engagement.
A key artistic partner during this era was accompanist Beverly Clark. A distinguished organist and collaborative pianist with more than sixty years of musical service, Clark brought exceptional musicianship, experience, and dedication to the Chorale. Her contributions extended far beyond the keyboard, helping to shape the musical excellence and supportive culture that characterized the organization for many years.
One of the Chorale's most meaningful community initiatives began in 2015 with the inaugural Martin Luther King, Jr. Choir Festival. Conducted by William Propst and accompanied by Beverly Clark, the festival brought together the Loudoun Chorale and guest choirs from across the region in a celebration of Dr. King's vision of unity, equality, and hope. The event later evolved into the annual Lift Every Voice Choral Festival, continuing a tradition of collaboration and community connection through music.
The Chorale's history has been preserved through concert programs, photographs, recordings, and the dedication of its members. Archived performances on YouTube and SoundCloud, along with extensive photo collections and historical records, document decades of musical achievement and community service.
Today, the Loudoun Chorale continues its mission under the leadership of Music Director Max Nolan and Accompanist Terry Sisk, whose combined experience, artistry, and dedication help guide the organization into its next chapter. Building upon the foundation established by generations of singers, directors, accompanists, board members, and supporters, the Chorale remains committed to presenting music that touches the heart, stirs the spirit, and strengthens community.
More than thirty years after its founding, the Loudoun Chorale continues to be a place where voices come together, friendships are formed, and music enriches the lives of performers and audiences alike. And our song goes on.
1990s
Building a Musical Tradition
The Chorale grows into one of Loudoun County's premier community vocal ensembles, presenting both traditional and contemporary choral works while welcoming singers of all experience levels.
1991
Loudoun Chorale Founded
The Loudoun Chorale is established as an outgrowth of the ensemble Music in the Valley, creating a community-based choral organization dedicated to providing quality vocal music experiences for singers and audiences throughout Loudoun County.
2000
Professional Recognition
Accompanist Beverly Clark earns the prestigious Colleague Certification from the American Guild of Organists, further enhancing the Chorale's artistic leadership.
2000s
Performances with the Loudoun Symphony
Collaborates with the Loudoun Symphony in performances of Mendelssohn's Hymn of Praise and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
2000s
Washington National Cathedral
Performs at the Washington National Cathedral, expanding the Chorale's regional presence.
2000s
Waterford Fair Appearances
Becomes a regular participant in the Waterford Fair, sharing choral music with thousands of visitors.
2011
Handel's Messiah
Presents selections from Handel's Messiah, continuing a tradition of performing major choral masterworks.
2011
Beautiful Savior
Performance of Beautiful Savior preserved in the Chorale's online archives.
2012
Holiday Concert
Performs Magnificat, Coventry Carol, There Is No Rose, and other seasonal works.
2014
Bach and Handel
Performs Bach's Cantata BWV 61 and selections from Handel's Messiah.
2015
Martin Luther King Jr. Choir Festival
Hosts the inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Choir Festival conducted by William Propst and accompanied by Beverly Clark.
2016
Lift Every Voice Festival
The Martin Luther King Jr. Choir Festival evolves into the annual Lift Every Voice Choral Festival.
2017
International Holiday Program
Performs music by Holst, Charpentier, Lauridsen, and traditional works representing multiple cultures and languages.
2017
Contemporary Choral Repertoire
Presents Daniel Elder's Ballade to the Moon and other contemporary choral works.
2018
Multicultural Sacred Music
Performs music in English, French, German, Hebrew, Latin, Russian, and other traditions.
2022
Max Nolan Appointed Music Director
Begins a new era of artistic leadership while continuing the Chorale's tradition of excellence.
2023
32nd Season
Celebrates more than three decades of choral music in Loudoun County.
2026
35 Years of Song
Celebrates thirty-five years of bringing singers and audiences together through music, friendship, and community.
Ongoing
Community Collaboration
Partners with community organizations, guest choirs, orchestras, and cultural groups throughout Northern Virginia.
Ongoing
Non-Auditioned Community Choir
Continues its mission of welcoming singers of diverse backgrounds and experience levels.
Ongoing
Artistic Leadership
Current artistic leadership includes Music Director Max Nolan and Accompanist Terry Sisk.
In Memoriam
Throughout the history of the Loudoun Chorale, we have been blessed by the talents, dedication, friendship, and generosity of many singers, accompanists, directors, and supporters. While some are no longer with us, their voices continue to resonate in our memories, our music, and our community.
Each person remembered here contributed something unique to the Chorale's story. Through countless rehearsals, performances, acts of service, and shared moments of joy, they helped shape the welcoming and vibrant organization we are today. Their passion for music enriched the lives of fellow chorale members and audiences throughout Loudoun County and beyond.
We honor their legacy with gratitude and affection, celebrating lives well lived and the enduring impact they made on our musical family and our community. Though their songs have ended, their influence continues to inspire us, and their memory remains an important part of the Loudoun Chorale.
May we carry forward their spirit, their love of music, and their commitment to bringing people together through song.
