About the Choir
Since 1979, the Chamber Choir has brought high-quality choral music to the Greater Grand Rapids Community. The choir has sung over twenty-three world premieres of new choral literature and has sung in a dozen foreign languages. Most recently, the CCGR premiered "Sing" by our friend and local composer, Sean Ivory. Our rich legacy includes tours, concerts, and recordings. We have shared disc space with world renowned artists including the
London Philharmonic and the Dallas Brass.
CCGR has performed all over the world; from the baroque halls of Saint Petersburg, Russia, to the famous Haydnsaal in the Esterhazy Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria. We have joined the famed Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the legendary Tabernacle in Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah, where we took part in the recording of the Tabernacle Choir's international Sunday morning television and radio international broadcast. We were also invited by the choir to perform a solo concert in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square.
Locally, the Chamber Choir has worked to raise social awareness on issues in the Community. We have teamed with organizations such as the Holland Youth Advisory Panel, Heartside Ministries, Senior Neighbors, Children's Assessment Center, Degage Ministries, Silent Observer, the Butterworth Foundation, and the Alzheimer's Association of West Michigan.
Artistic Director
Kara Stevens
Kara Stevens, MME, received her Bachelor's of Music Education degree from Grand Valley State University and her Master's of Music Education from Western Michigan University. Kara is currently in her 11th year as the director of the Caledonia High School Choirs. Prior to teaching at CHS, Kara was the director of choirs at Charlotte High School and Middle School for one year. Kara directs six choral ensembles at CHS: Tenor/Bass Ensemble, Treble Chorus, Advanced Treble Chorus, Bella Voce, Chorlaires, and Chamber Singers. Kara is an active member of the Michigan School Vocal Music Association sending students to Solo and Ensemble Festivals, State and All-State Honors Choir, and Choral Festival where the choirs consistently receive first division ratings. Under her direction, the Caledonia High School Choralaires were selected to perform at the Michigan Music Conference Choral Hour in 2023. Kara lives with her husband Eric and daughters Louisa and Eva. When she is not directing choirs, she enjoys gardening and long distance running.
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