The Lancaster Art Song Society
Learn how one singer shifted her goals in music education from teaching to spearheading the Lancaster Art Song Society. As the organization grew, more opportunities for singers of varying levels have become available.
What is Lancaster Art Song Society? Our mission is to provide vocal training for developing artists, offer performance opportunities for classically trained professional artists, and to present recitals and musical events for audiences of all ages to enjoy!
How did it all begin? For many years I taught music classes and private voice lessons. The schedule was conducive to rearing our two young girls; however, as they grew, I realized there were not many training programs for young singers in our area. I also had a desire to introduce these young singers to beautiful music—particularly the genre of art songs.
I remember attending an amazing concert in our area of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The concert featured the best of the best: advanced singers from the Curtis Institute of Music. My heart sank as I looked around the performance hall and thought, “Where is everyone?” At that moment I realized the need for an organization that would continue providing developing singers with knowledge of classical vocal repertoire, promote rising musicians, and support professional singers. Soon after this, I was approached by the Trust Performing Arts Center in Lancaster, and a beautiful partnership began.
Since 2023, Lancaster Art Song Society (LASS) performs and sponsors classical singers at the Trust Performing Arts Center while promoting this incredible art form inspiring and helping to grow an audience base for classical singing recitals and concerts in the area. At the same time, we also offer training to members of our chamber choir, Laus Deo, all of whom are given scholarships. We are solely funded by donations and “pay what you will” musical events.
In September of 2023 we held our first recital at the Trust. It included two professional singers, the Laus Deo chamber choir, and two young rising artists (those who are studying but haven’t yet finished college). The most wonderful thing transpired. The professional singers had developed a relationship with the young chamber choir members and greatly inspired them to grow in their skill—and our young rising artists debuted in the stunning Great Hall of the Trust Performing Arts Center, and the audience was delighted to hear beautiful music as they witnessed multiple generations performing and sharing the same stage.
Where do we go from here? Well, as most nonprofits seek to grow and develop, LASS has a future goal to offer individual and group vocal lessons that are scholarship based for our young musicians. We are hoping to gain support from like-minded people who see the value of investing in our future generations of vocalists. We also have developed a service-oriented approach to our musicianship. In fact, we feel it is our calling to offer the gift of music to those who not only enjoy music but also need great comfort. Our chamber choir, Laus Deo, performs for retirement communities, those who are home bound, those in the hospital, and even those in hospice. We have bonded together and found such joy in giving the powerful gift of music to all who desire it.
