Decorah Chorale - Our Story

The Decorah Chorale was founded by director, John Bay, in the summer of 1996. From an original membership of fifteen, the Chorale has musically prospered into one of the finest community choirs in Iowa. Making over one hundred domestic and international appearances in the past twelve years, the Chorale draws upon the wealth of talent from four counties in NE Iowa and one in southern Minnesota. Originally founded for "community and charitable benefit", the group has donated financial support to many local organizations, including the Luther College Nordic Choir, Decorah High School Music Department, and Habitat For Humanity. They also continue to fulfill their mission by providing opportunities for young, talented musicians to publicly perform in venues outside their normal academic settings. The director and each member volunteer every hour of rehearsal and performance. The organization is sustained entirely through membership dues and the generosity of friends in the community who share their love for, and appreciation of, choral music. Iowa Public Television featured the Chorale in a special program in December 2005, acclaiming its dedication to the advancement of cultural understanding, and its charitable mission within the community.