Holland Chorale’s conductor focuses on expanding community connections

Philip Moody believes choral music can do more than fill a concert hall; it can bring people together.

The Lakeshore caught up with Phillip Moody for a Q&A about his passion for choir and the opportunity he sees with the Holland Chorale.

The Lakeshore: What drew you to the Holland Chorale, and how does this opportunity reflect your vision for community-centered choral music?

Phil Moody: I grew up singing in a community children’s choir and my church choir. I made great friends through these experiences and saw how choirs bring diverse people together for the same goal: making amazing music that they get to share with the community. From my first meeting with Holland Chorale singers and board members, I was impressed with their determination to work hard, have fun, and sing beautifully. In the end, the Chorale’s passion for the choral art form is what made me know I wanted to work with this amazing group as their next artistic director.

TL: As you step into this new role following Patrick Coyle’s impactful tenure, how do you hope to honor his legacy while bringing your own artistic voice to the Chorale?

PM: Patrick did amazing things with the ensemble, and I am honored to continue in his footsteps. Holland Chorale has a great legacy of top-notch directors. We will continue to support living composers with collaborations and commissions of new pieces. For example, we will be presenting the Midwest premiere of Timothy C. Takach’s Every Heart Shall Open during our holiday concert, themed around welcoming the stranger into your home. I’ve programmed a wide diversity of repertoire to reflect the West Michigan community. Holland Chorale will continue providing concerts that are a space for everyone to enjoy uplifting choral music, while encouraging new connections within our community. 

TL: You’ve held leadership positions with renowned ensembles and educational institutions. How will those experiences shape your approach with the Holland Chorale?

PM: I’m excited to bring my performing experiences, education, and connections to prepare for our concerts mentally and physically. I love teaching about vocal technique, various musical styles, and composers from all time periods, including the present. The connections I’ve made with professional singers, conductors, and living composers will help us present a variety of concerts, expand our educational programs like Adventures in Harmony, and bring new experiences to West Michigan.

What I’ve learned the most from working more than 30 years in this field is the power of incredible music. Whether you are a performer, an audience member, or working behind the scenes, incredible music can inspire, heal, and excite you. Some of my most memorable moments in life have happened in a rehearsal room or on a performance stage. I’m privileged to lead the charge in shaping that passion into a unified concert experience. 

TL: Summer Sing marked your first official event with the Chorale. What stood out to you from that weekend, and how does it shape your plans moving forward?

PM: Summer Sing was a whirlwind! One thing that stood out was the legacy of singers who were part of the event. We had current members, members who had sung in the early years of the Chorale, and people who had never sung in a choir before. What we were able to accomplish in one short rehearsal was astounding. Patrick, the board, and the singers made me instantly feel like a long-time family member. I will never forget that. 

I’m thrilled to announce that the Summer Sing is officially part of our annual season moving forward. This will allow singers who could not otherwise participate in the Chorale to join us for a concert in June, making new friends and great memories.

TL: Looking ahead to your first full season as artistic director, what themes or programming ideas are you excited to explore with the Chorale and the Holland community?

PM: Our 66th season is titled Through the Looking Glass. This season invites our audience members to reflect on their well-being, the various relationships in their lives, and their connection to our nation’s 250th anniversary. It’s also an anticipation of what I hope are my experiences during my inaugural season. I’m exploring not only working with a new ensemble, but living in a new region of the country, creating new friendships, and learning about the rich history of West Michigan. I can’t wait to see what’s behind each new door that I open this season.

I’m also very excited to have some giants in the choral world join us this season. Adam Reinwald, my partner in crime from St. Olaf Choir and Cantus, is our clinician for Adventures in Harmony on October 27. He brings a wealth of knowledge, and I can’t wait to see him in action with high school tenors and basses from the Holland area. Timothy C. Takach and Jocelyn Hagen, both St. Olaf graduates, co-composed This Is How You Love, which is the cornerstone of our April 24 concert, My Companion. It’s a unique piece written by a married couple that explores relationships and the struggles and joys that partners experience traveling through life together.

Lastly, I want to invite everyone to join Holland Chorale for our first concert of the season: The Soul Speaks. This program takes us on a musical journey that speaks to passion, hope, and renewal for our souls. We are featuring text sourced from the likes of John Muir, Robert Burns, James Agee, and Carly Simon. Perhaps most importantly, we are making this concert pay-what-you-can. We want all people in the Holland community to come and experience this amazing concert.