Description

With approximately 100 auditioned singers, Kirkland Choral Society is one of the premier large choral groups in the Puget Sound region. Now entering its 37th anniversary season, the Choral Society's repertoire emphasizes the great works for chorus and orchestra, but also includes a wide variety of fine choral music, including works by the leading composers of our day.

For the past ten years, KCS has maintained a partnership with one of Seattle’s finest orchestras, Philharmonia Northwest, regularly performing the great works for chorus and orchestra at venues such as Benaroya Hall.

KCS is also committed to new music; commissioning significant choral works by Kirke Mechem, Ola Gjeilo, Carol Barnett, Donald Skirvin, John Muehleisen, Laura Sgroi, and Dale Trumbore. KCS has also given the Seattle-area premiere of many fine works, including Carol Barnett's "Bluegrass Mass," Jocelyn Hagen's "The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci," and "Say Your Name" by Reena Esmail.

Artistic Director Dr. Brennan Michaels, a native of Arizona, began as Artistic Director of Kirkland Choral Society in the 2025-26 season. He brings a freshness and energy to the choir, encouraging singers to communicate the emotion of the lyrics while maintaining excellence in diction, shaping, and choral tone. Brennan is also Director of Worship at Bellevue Presbyterian Church. In addition to planning and leading in worship, Brennan conducts the Sanctuary Chorus, the semi-professional choral ensemble Pneuma, and the Festival Orchestra and Brass. The choirs at Bellevue Presbyterian regularly perform works with orchestra, most recently Fauré’s Requiem, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, and Handel’s Messiah. Under Brennan’s direction, the Sanctuary Chorus was selected and invited to perform at the 2024 ACDA Northwest Regional Conference. In 2024, the choir also undertook a two-week international tour throughout Greece, where they sang in Ioannina, Patras, Corfu, and Athens. Brennan has taught in schools throughout Minnesota, Texas, and at Northwest University in Washington. He sang with and served as Artistic Director of the Minneapolis Chamber Choir, From Age to Age. In 2019, Brennan was selected through a rigorous audition process as a conducting fellow in Chorus America’s Conducting Academy, where he conducted in Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Additional conducting highlights include performances with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, preparing Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 13 ‘Babi Yar’ for a performance with the Michigan State Symphony.
Brennan is also an active adjudicator, clinician, and presenter. He has presented in Washington, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, and North Carolina.
Brennan holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from Michigan State University where his doctoral dissertation focused on an analysis of Figure Humaine, a double-choir cantata by Francis Poulenc. Brennan holds a M.M. in conducting from Baylor University and a B.M. in vocal music education from Concordia College. His teachers include David Rayl, Jerry McCoy, Alan Raines, Lynne Gackle, and Rene Clausen.
KCS is thrilled to have Dr. Brennan Michaels as their newly appointed Artistic Director!

Ensemble Photos

Kirkland Choral Society

Kirkland Choral Society