Uniting Communities: A 46th Season Full of Bold, Unique Experiences

The most recorded male chorus in the world, Dallas’ Turtle Creek Chorale returns for its 46th season this year with performances that are expansive in scale and emotional in depth. But, if you think you know what a Turtle Creek Chorale season looks like, think again. This year’s lineup may be the Chorale’s most musically and thematically diverse in recent memory.

The 2026 season moves intentionally away from a single overarching theme and instead leans into what the organization has built over nearly five decades: a powerful legacy, a globally recognized sound, and the unique experience of hundreds of voices singing together on stage.

“There are very few places where you can see more than 250 men singing with orchestra, dance, and full production,” said Charles Longcope, Jr. Artistic Director Sean Baugh. “When the Chorale is on stage in its full form, it’s powerful, it’s thrilling,  and it’s something you simply can’t replicate.”

Throughout this season, the Chorale’s voices will explore everything from humor and celebration to patriotism and remembrance. Some performances will be intimate and playful, and there will be massive artistic collaborations featuring hundreds of performers. Together, they will create a season designed to entertain, challenge, and connect.

Interest in membership has surged over the past few years, with a noticeable increase since  the pandemic. Many new members say they joined not only for the music, but for the sense of connection and community the organization provides. In the modern age where remote work and digital communication often replace face-to-face interaction, rehearsals have become a place where friendships form and authentic experiences happen.

For Executive Director Dr. Dawson B. Taylor, that community is central to the Chorale’s impact. 

“We hear often from our members that the Chorale is essential to their lives in Dallas, and that it is part of what keeps them connected to the city and sometimes, keeps them in the state of Texas. This group of men gives me a sense of community in a world that can feel increasingly disconnected,” he said. “Instead, we all get to be part of something bigger than ourselves as individuals.”

That sense of belonging is reflected in the music itself. The authenticity of the relationships within the Chorale often translates directly to the stage, where the emotional connection between singers elevates the performance.

In May, Songs We Can’t Sing on Stage kicks things off with a one-night-only cabaret concert at Oak Cliff Assembly. This adults-only evening showcases Chorale members performing songs that are far from traditional choral repertoire: Playful, edgy, and sometimes a little outrageous.

Then in June, the Chorale goes big (because everything is bigger in Texas) with Pride As Big as Texas.The concert celebrates Pride Month with music from legendary Texas artists like Willie Nelson, Kacey Musgraves, and Beyoncé, alongside powerful contemporary choral works,  weaving together personal stories about growing up LGBTQ+ in Texas, creating a deeply personal portrait of pride and identity in the Lone Star State. For many members, the concert carries an important message: patriotism and pride are not mutually exclusive, and both belong to everyone.

That idea continues with WE the People, a collaborative performance with the Women’s Chorus of Dallas honoring the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. With more than 150 singers on stage, the concert reflects on freedom, equality, and the ongoing promise of the American experiment.

Later in the season, Better is Peace: 9/11 Remembered Through Song and Dance brings together the Chorale, Bruce Wood Dance, and the Dallas Chamber Symphony for one of the most ambitious collaborations in the organization’s history. More than 300 performers will take the stage, including hundreds of young singers from the Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy, a moment designed to honor the past while lifting up the voices of the next generation.

The season closes with a beloved North Texas tradition: the Chorale’s annual holiday concerts. Holidays with the Turtle Creek Chorale returns in December with reimagined classics, stirring carols, and joyful finales. This year’s performances will feature special collaboration with Skyland Music, a Dallas-based acoustic band blending Celtic tradition with modern roots sounds. The combination of rich instrumentation and the Chorale’s powerful sound promises a festive finale to the season, with bagpipes included.

For nearly 46 years, Turtle Creek Chorale has used music to bring people together. That mission feels especially meaningful now. At a time when many communities feel divided, the Chorale continues to create spaces where audiences can experience joy, remembrance, pride, and hope together. When hundreds of voices rise together, something extraordinary happens, and in Dallas and across the state this year, those voices are ready to sing.

Concert tickets are available for purchase at TurtleCreekChorale.com in the months leading up to each performance. For the latest updates about concert ticket availability, additional guest performer announcements, and updates on TCC’s work in the community, follow along on Instagram and Facebook at @TurtleCreekChorale.

Media Contact: 

Olivia Rathle 

olivia@culverpr.com 

214-352-5980