Making music since 2012…

Formed in May 2012, the Orpheus Singers is central Pennsylvania's premiere chamber choral ensemble. Under the artistic direction of conductor Jacob Mandell, the choir has been praised for its choral artistry, outstanding caliber of musicianship, and innovative programming.

Upcoming Performances

Candlelight Christmas Chamber Concert

  • The Orpheus Singers are proud to present this holiday concert, joining forces with the Nittany Valley Symphony to deliver an afternoon of chamber music for the season, lit and inspired by candlelight.  Featured in this concert will be Ottorino Respighi's Christmas cantata Laud to the Nativity, his only sacred choral work, that brings the point of view of the birth through the eyes of the shepherds, Mary, and the angel, inspired by 15th - and 16th - century frescos of the birth in his native Italy.  Works like the advent hymn Of the Father’s Love Begotten, Bob Chilcott’s compelling The Shepherd’s Carol, and additional works by the choir and orchestra will help round out an uplifting afternoon. 

    This event is FREE to the public.

Sunday, December 13 at 4PM

  • Dan Forrest’s The Music of Living is a text teeming with the optimism and joy of life: “I want to feel the music of living; And not fear the sad songs, but from them make new songs, composed of both laughter and tears….”.  

    Making music together in unexpected places and moments often create the greatest memories.  Whether singing songs around a campfire, telling stories of legends and mysterious people, or gathering on a city street, music has always found a way to inspire us and make us feel alive.  

    Erik Esenvald’s setting of Sara Teasdale’s poem Stars gives us a musical soundscape upon which we can experience the vast beauty of the night sky.  Eric Whitacre’s A Boy and a Girl tells the story of a couple fully living: from childhood, to adulthood, and even when their time is done.  Then, enjoy the essence of living with campfire songs and spirituals, which will be shared with local student ensembles from area high schools. 

  • General Admission: $15

    Student/Senior: $10

    Children 12 and under: FREE

Saturday, February 27 at 7PM, Altoona, PA

Sunday, February 28 at 4PM, State College, PA

The Music of Living

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    • October 17, 2026: “A Thousand Beautiful Things” at Trinity Lutheran Church, State College, PA

    • June 14, 2026: Northeastern choral premiere of Timothy C. Takach’s “Helios” at Calvary Harvest Fields, Boalsburg, PA

    • March 1, 2026: “A World of My Devising” at State College Presbyterian Church

    • December 6, 2025: “Home for the Holidays” in collaboration with the Altoona Symphony Orchestra at Altoona Area High School

    • November 9, 2025: “Gratitude” at State College Presbyterian Church

    • Rachmaninoff’s “All-Night Vigil” in collaboration with Grantham Consort: June 14th, 2025 at State College Presbyterian Church and June 15th at Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, Harrisburg

    • Sunday, February 23, 2025: “#twitterlieder: from youth to old age” at State College Presbyterian Church

    • Sunday, October 27, 2024: “Love Songs, Daydreams, & Bedtime Stories” at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County

    • Sunday, February 25, 2024: "Meditations on the Cross” at Faith United Church of Christ, State College, PA

    • Friday, October 27th, 2023: “Afternoon on a Hill: Classical & Contemporary Choral Works” at Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, University Park, PA

    • Sunday, November 6th, 2022: “Come In: Works by Aaron Copland, Randall Thompson, and Gerald Finzi“ at Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, University Park, PA

    • Wednesday, July 13th, 2022: Pat Farrell Community Sing Along at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts

  • During 2020 and 2021, the Orpheus Singers were on hiatus due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

    • Friday, December 13th, 2019: “Midwinter Carols” at Grace Lutheran Church, State College, PA

    • Sunday, September 22, 2019: “Love & Lamentations” at Grace Lutheran Church, State College, PA

    • Sunday, December 9, 2018: “A Classical Christmas Celebration” with the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra at The State Theatre, State College, PA

    • Tuesday, July 31, 2018: “Bar Choir!” An informal rehearsal & performance at Barrel 21 distillery, State College, PA

    • Saturday, April 7, 2018: Orff's “Carmina Burana” with the Penn State University Concert Choir at State College Area High School Mastersingers, and Altoona Symphony Orchestra

    • Sunday, December 10th, 2017: Handel's “Messiah” with the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra at The State Theatre, State College, PA

    • Saturday, June 17, 2017: Bach's ”Magnificat” as part of the Music at Penn's Woods Orchestra at Esber Recital Hall, Penn State University

    • Sunday, December 11th, 2016, 7:30pm: Handel's “Messiah” with the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra at Schwab Auditorium, Penn State University

    • Wednesday, December 14th, 2016, 7:30pm: Handel's “Messiah” with the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra at Faith United Methodist Church, Bellefonte, PA

    • Wednesday, April 20th, 2016: "Sacred & Profane" at the Palmer Museum of Art, Penn State University

    • Wednesday, December 16th, 2015: Handel's ”Messiah” with the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra at Faith United Methodist Church, Bellefonte, PA

    • Sunday, December 13th, 2015: Handel's ”Messiah” with the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra at Schwab Auditorium, Penn State University

    • Thursday, July 9th, 2015: “I Hear America Singing! From Billings to Broadway” as part of the Central PA Arts Festival at the State College Presbyterian Church, State College, PA

    • Saturday, March 28th & Sunday, March 29th, 2015: “Puccini's “La Bohème” with the Penn State School of Music and the Center for Performing Arts at Eisenhower Auditorium, Penn State University

    • Wednesday, December 17th, 2014: Handel's “Messiah” with the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra at the First Presbyterian Church, Hollidaysburg, PA

    • Monday, December 15th, 2014: Handel's “Messiah” with the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra at Our Lady of Victory Church, State College, PA

    • Thursday, July 10th, 2014: "Sweet Lovers Love the Spring" as part of the Central PA Arts Festival)

    • Wednesday, April 16th, 2014: "The Art of Music: Sweet Lovers Love the Spring" at the Palmer Museum of Art, Penn State University

    • Thursday, December 5th, 2013: Handel's “Messiah” with the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra at the State College Alliance Church, State College, PA

    • Wednesday, April 17, 2013: "Five Mystical Songs" (Vaughan Williams) and "Orpheus with His Lute" (Macfarren) at the Palmer Museum of Art, Penn State University

    • Friday, April 5, 2013: "Leonard Bernstein's “Mass” with the Penn State School of Music and the Center for the Performing Arts at the Eisenhower Auditorium

    • Wednesday, June 13, 2012: Music at Penns Woods Chamber Music Concert

Past Performances