History of the Steiner Chorale
Since its inception, the Steiner Chorale has been an adult, auditioned, quality ensemble providing fine music in Mid-Michigan. East Lansing High School choral teacher William “Bill” Steiner and members of the community first formed The Steiner Chorale for the 1968-69 concert season. See newspaper article of first performance. Bill Steiner’s tenure as director was tragically cut short when he passed away in June 1971. Chorale members were determined to continue his legacy and performed the Brahms Requiem in memoriam in the Fall of 1971.
Over the ensuing years, this community-based chorale has attracted many gifted conductors and singers, and developed a reputation for high quality performances of traditional works as well as non-traditional choral music. Works ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous, and covering virtually every musical period, primarily within western music genres including short choral works, masterworks, commissioned music, jazz, pop, Sometimes serious, sometimes for fun. Always with a goal of high quality performance and audience enrichment.
Currently the choir boasts a roster of 40-plus voices and is incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit organization.
Former Directors & Accompanists
| Directors | Accompanists | |
| William F. Steiner (1968 – 1971 East Lansing High School ) | Dorothy Aceveto (1968 ) | |
| Dorothy Acevedo (1971 East Lansing Middle School ) | John Courter | |
| Dr. J. Loren Jones (1971 MSU) | ||
| Dr. David Strickler (1972 Albion College) | ||
| Dr. Robert Harris (MSU/Northwestern) | ||
| Earl Nelson (Michigan Senator) | ||
| Michael Steiner (1979 -1982 – son of William Steiner ) | Joan Gochberg (1979) Karlene Astalos (1981) Susan Thomas Francis Foltz Nola Deal (1982) Bruce Williams (1982) |
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| David Lanz (1983 – 1988 Lansing Public Schools; Charter Member ) | ||
| David Wallis (1988 – 1992 Lansing Community College ) | Manly Blackwell (1988) Caryn Welter (1991) |
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| Rev. Robert Hundley (1993 – 1997 University Methodist Church) | David Banfield (1993) Bruce Oelschlager Takis Pizanis (1995) |
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| Dr. Judith Burns (1997 – 1998 Brighton High School ) | ||
| Denise Sauter (1999 Waverly High School) | ||
| Todd Prickett (1999 – 2001 MSU Grad. Student ) | ||
| Sean Vogt (2002 – 2004 MSU Grad. Student ) | ||
| David Howard (2004 – 2006 MSU Grad. Student | ||
| Kevin Simons (2006 – 2011 Saginaw Valley Faculty) | ||
| Nina Nash-Robertson (2010 guest conductor) | ||
| Douglas Armstead (2011 – 2013 Grand Ledge Middle School ) | ||
| Dr. William Ramsey (2013 – 2014 Stanford University) | ||
| Corb Felgenhour (2014 – Music Director at South Church) |