About
Mission and History
Chorus Angelorum is proud to be a part of Chattanooga's musical heritage. The ensemble was formed in early 2020 with the intent of safely providing online choral concerts, both sacred and secular, during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2020-2021 season, several prominent choral organizations in our community postponed, canceled, and even have yet to resume performances. Chorus Angelorum strives to fill the hole this caused by recording and streaming concerts free to the public via Facebook and YouTube. Through the careful planning of rehearsals, and use of masks and social distancing, we were able to find a safe way to rehearse, record, and stream these events, all free to the general public. Beginning in the 2021-2022 season, as COVID restrictions were lifted, we added live concerts to our concert schedule. What a joy it was to sing in front of a live audience again! However, we continue to provide as many recordings and concert streams as possible. We believe that digital access to concerts and events is one more way to ensure everyone has access to the culture and happenings of a community.
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Composed of local vocalists, the choir draws its members from a variety of diverse backgrounds and occupations; Many members of the ensemble find their primary occupation in fields outside of music, yet they remain extremely active in our community's musical events. Several members are also music educators and additionally maintain successful solo careers. All the ensemble's singers are members of other local choirs such as the Chattanooga Bach Choir, Choral Arts Society, Opera Tennessee, and CSO Chorus, as well as participants in various church choirs. Chorus Angelorum is committed to fostering a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity volunteer ensemble. The purpose of Chorus Angelorum is to establish and support a diverse community, and to foster the development, advancement, and promotion of classical choral music of all genres.
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Chorus Angelorum is under the artistic direction of Janelle Wigal Wagoner.
Artistic Director
Janelle Wigal Wagoner
Janelle Wigal Wagoner is the Artistic Director and founder of Chorus Angelorum. She graduated summa cum laude from Valparaiso University in May 2018 with a BS in Electrical Engineering and a minor in Music. While at Valpo, Janelle participated in the Chamber Band and Orchestra as principal horn; She also founded the University's STEM Woodwind Ensemble, Woodwind Quintet, and Low Brass Quintet. In 2018, the University awarded Janelle the “Robert D. Palumbo Music and Engineering Award” for her involvement and research in both fields. Additionally, Janelle was captain of the Valparaiso University Cross Country and Track Teams.
Janelle began singing in her church choirs at a young age and has been singing in church and the Chattanooga area since. Janelle became a member of the Royal School of Church Music, at age 11, and received the prestigious RSCM Gold Award with Honors in 2016 for the highest understanding of liturgical music, tradition, and music theory. Alongside Chorus Angelorum, she is an active member in several local choral ensembles, church choirs, and as a horn player in her community.
Since graduating from Valpo, Janelle has helped to organize a few members of local Episcopal Churches into the In Spiritu Compline Choir, which provides a service of compline monthly at rotating locations. Additionally, Janelle formed the Angeli Cantorum Ensemble, which was preparing for its premiere concert of Janelle's favorite choral works in April of 2020 when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Conceptually, Chorus Angelorum grew from Angeli Cantorum, but developed to serve a much more needed purpose: Providing live choral music to those who love it while it is inaccessible in many forms. She hopes to continue providing online access to live concerts as long as there are listeners who need it.
The Choir
2023 - 2024 Season
Soprano
Janelle Wagoner
Christine Armao
Elisabeth Schrock
Alto
Paige Bush
Cathy Laird
Sara Snider Schone
Esther Myers
Tenor
Hal Miller
Alex Coker
Trevor Wagoner
Bass
EJ Laird
Curtis Prevo
Ethan McGrath
Audition for Chorus Angelorum? More info HERE!!
Board of Directors
President - Janelle Wagoner
Vice-President - E.J. Laird
After graduating from the Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts at Pebblebrook High School, E.J. Laird studied Voice Performance and Music Education at Shorter College. There, he performed and recorded with the Shorter Chorale under the direction of Dr. Martha Shaw. With the Shorter Opera program, he performed the roles of Pandolfe in Massenet's "Cendrillon" and Kromov in Lehar's "The Merry Widow". E.J. regularly performs with Opera Tennessee, Voci Virilli, and is currently bass section leader at Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout Mountain. Outside of musical pursuits, E.J. works as an Operations Manager at Unum.
Treasurer - Trevor Wagoner
Trevor Wagoner attended Hope College in Holland, MI, where he graduated magna cum laude in 2017 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and minors in Physics and Math. While at Hope, Trevor was nd a member of the Chapel Choir - the college's premiere choral ensemble. Trevor first developed a love for choral music as a member of the Men’s Chorus and select Men’s Ensemble at the McCallie School, a private high school in Chattanooga, TN. Trevor is a staff baritone at Grace Episcopal Church and a member of the Chattanooga Bach Choir. Trevor is also a founding member of Chorus Angelorum. Outside of his musical career, Trevor is a Product Manager for Astec Industries. He is married to Janelle, and enjoys exploring Chattanooga with their curly-tailed labrador, Mae.
Administrative Assistant - Elisabeth Schrock
Elisabeth Schrock graduated from Lee University in 2018 with a BM in Education, both vocal and instrumental K-12, and a BM in Vocal Performance. She is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda and graduated Magna Cum Laude. While at Lee, she was involved in several ensembles including Opera Theatre, Chorale, Handbell Choir and Wind Ensemble (Trumpet). She taught elementary general music in Dalton, GA for 4 years where she was Level II Orff-Schulwerk certified. She has recently accepted a position teaching lessons with the Chattanooga Music Academy. In the performing realm, which Elisabeth truly loves, she has been a member of the Chattanooga Bach Choir for 4 years, is an active member in the Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Choir on Lookout Mountain, and is a founding member/singer of Chorus Angelorum.
Become a Member of the Board of Directors
There are three available board seats that we hope to fill with interested and engaged community members. Those wishing to apply are asked to submit a statement outlining how they can benefit Chorus Angelorum through a position on our Board of Directors. Members of the board must reside and be employed within the greater Chattanooga area.
How to Apply
Please submit the following information to chorusangelorumchatt@gmail.com:
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A statement describing how you would benefit Chorus Angelorum and its Board of Directors
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Your Contact information - including phone number, email, and home address.
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