PHC Chorale

The Patrick Henry College Chorale is a mixed-voice ensemble that serves and enriches others in performances, campus events, and concerts throughout the greater Northern Virginia area and around the globe.

A highly skilled and auditioned group, the Chorale has a substantial repertoire that includes Renaissance motets, classical and Baroque masterpieces, folk tunes, and spirituals.

Director Rod Appleton has led the Chorale since 2015 and has led tours and conducted masterwork performances. He recently led tours to California and New England and is preparing for an upcoming European tour in May 2026.

PHC Chorale Mission:

The mission of the PHC Chorale is to declare and celebrate the greatness and glory of our faithful God through choral music from the Renaissance period to current times. The message of the gospel is woven through our music. Our heart is to share this beauty so the listener might be drawn closer to the Creator of all things and ultimately to find grace and forgiveness in His son, Jesus Christ. It's our heartbeat, passion, and joy.

2026 European Tour:

The Chorale is in the midst of fundraising for their ministry tour to Europe in May 2026. They will visit Scotland, England, France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. There, they will be doing a benefit concert for Tree of Life UK, supporting Selden College, a brand-new Christian college in Oxford, and singing in schools and churches of various denominations. It's not just a choir tour—it is a ministry tour where gospel opportunities are sought after in every way possible. Any gifts towards scholarships for the students are greatly appreciated. We are asking the Lord for $80K from our friends and supporters to defray the costs for the students.

2024 Southern California Ministry Tour

God opened doors for the PHC Chorale to tour in California this spring. The Chorale sang at high schools—both public and private, at homeschool co-ops, and at churches large and small. Building off evangelistic opportunities seen last year in New England, the Chorale was blessed to share their love for Christ and His call on their lives with all kinds of audiences and with people of all faith backgrounds.

View the highlight video here:

(Video by Mark Shankov, Strategic Intelligence, Class of 2026)

Your support, both financially and prayerfully, is critical for tours like this. Through RaiseRight, you can save up to 20% on everyday purchases with more than 500 retailers and support PHC Chorale in the process. Learn more.

Chorale Support CTA

2023 Easter New England Tour

The PHC Chorale traveled to New England in April 2023 and saw firsthand the leading and blessing of God in sharing their music in churches and schools across the region. They also ministered in a senior living center, sang in coffee shops, and on street corners in Boston. Homestays allowed more ministry as students testified of their faith with hosts. The Chorale was so excited to share their music, but they were also in New England to share the gospel. The beauty of Christ and his “Amazing Grace” was evident through tears and embraces from some very weary congregants, blessed profoundly by the music and gospel message of hope. The students themselves grew in their love for one another and for those with little hope.

2010 European Tour

In April 2010, the Patrick Henry College Chorale embarked on an extended tour of Europe, traveling to Munich, Germany, Salzburg and Vienna, Austria, and Venice, Italy. The Chorale performed at churches, universities, and at a number of historic cathedrals, including The Church of San Rocco in Venice, Italy.

Spring Concert

Each spring, the Chorale presents a concert to PHC and the local communities. Past performances include

Christlag in Todesbanden, BWV 4, a cantata by J.S. Bach with strings
Mendelssohn’s Elijah, with the Lancaster Bible College choir and orchestra
The Passion According to St. John, by Heinrich Schutz
Missa Kenya, by Paul Basler.
In 2011, the Chorale introduced a more informal program for the spring concert. Now Is The Month of Maying offered performances of folk tunes and Pirates of the Caribbean music from the Chamber Ensemble, madrigals and settings of Robert Burns’s poetry from the Chorale, haunting melodies and hilarious musical sketches from smaller ensembles, and arrangements of popular songs by the men’s a cappella group.

Holiday Celebrations

As each fall semester nears its close, the Chorale plays a central role in turning our hearts and minds toward Advent, Christmas, and the time of holiday rest.

Lessons and Carols Service: The culmination of the campus community’s celebration of Advent, this is a traditional service derived from the service at King's College, Cambridge. The student body and the community are all invited to hear Christmas songs and hymns with readings of Scripture and prayers. Many residents of Loudoun county have come to regard it as an indispensable holiday tradition, and it is a pinnacle event for Chorale members. This service is webcast live each year so be sure to watch for more information as the time approaches.

Choral Festivals

Each spring, the Chorale hosts local choral groups for day-long festivals of learning and collaboration. These Choral Festivals are an opportunity to mentor younger students through a shared love of the choral art. Private and public schools, as well as the Maranatha Youth Music Academy Choir, have joined them for these events.