The Chorale began in 1992, founded by Ron White as Cantati Evangelica, and was dedicated to singing sacred choral concerts of music from many historical periods in churches and auditoriums throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding regions. Following Ron’s retirement, and with new leadership under Ken Fenton, the Chorale formally incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit entity in 2007 with a new name — Twin Cities Master’s Chorale.

Following the Chorale’s  COVID-induced suspension of choral activity, it eagerly, optimistically, and enthusiastically resumed all choral activity in Fall 2022, re-imagined and revitalized with a fresh identity, major leadership and administrative changes, and a new name — Chrismon Chorale. The term “chrismon” is a contraction of the Latin, “Christi monogramma” — monogram of Christ — and represents the Chorale’s desire to embody Christ through its music and the truth of its message.

Although re-imagined, the Chorale’s unique mission, however, has not changed. It exists “. . . to present concerts exclusively from the collected works of sacred choral music that comfort, uplift, and inspire, seeking to perform them with the highest level of musicality and artistry, singing as people who personally believe and know the truth of the message that they proclaim, and who offer their performance as a sacrifice to the glory of God.”

Chorale members represent many Christian denominations in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, rehearse weekly for three months prior to annual Fall and Spring concerts and perform primarily in church worship spaces.

LARRY BACH, the Musical and Artistic Director of Chrismon Chorale, recently retired from North Central University (NCU) in Minneapolis where he served as Chair of the Music Department and as Dean of the College of Fine Arts. He also founded the NCU Women’s Choir and conducted the NCU Concert Chorale. Under Bach’s direction, the Concert Chorale performed in over 20 countries and had two solo performances at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In the Spring of 2023, Bach conducted the premiere of Michael John Trotta’s “Te Deum,” at the David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, New York City, and on Memorial Day 2025 he conducted the premiere of Trotta’s “Five Psalms,” which Trotta dedicated “to Larry,” in Carnegie Hall.

Throughout his career, Bach has served frequently as a clinician and guest conductor in high schools, colleges, community choirs, and church choirs. He has twice had the honor of conducting Minnesota All State choirs.

He has also led many church choirs and currently serves as Canticle Choir Director for St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, MN.

Bach sang professionally with the Dale Warland Singers from 1983 to 2003, serving as Assistant Conductor from 2000 to 2003. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in vocal performance from West Virginia Wesleyan University, a Master of Music in choral conducting from the University of Minnesota and has completed all course work and examinations for a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Iowa.

JOSHUA TOMPKINS, accompanist for Chrismon Chorale, holds a Bachelor of Music, a Master of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Minnesota.

For 20 years Tompkins served on the music faculty at North Central University (NCU) in Minneapolis, where he taught Music Theory and Piano. He also accompanied the NCU Concert Chorale, Women’s Choir, and Festival Choir for rehearsals and concerts, and accompanied the Concert Chorale on multiple tours throughout the United States and Europe, including concerts in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. 

Professionally, Tompkins continues to perform extensively as a concert pianist and freelance artist with numerous recordings under his personal and national record labels. He enjoys performing an extensive classical, sacred, pop, and jazz repertoire. He has also produced and arranged music for other local artists and loves helping others to pursue the art of music making.

Tompkins is currently Director of Music at Presbyterian Church of the Way in Shoreview, MN, where he conducts the choir and leads the worship ensemble, making music with his church family—a highlight of the week. 

He also frequently conducts the orchestra for performances at Faith Community Theater in Minnetonka.

Performing Members include:  Active members when choral activity was suspended in 2020; previous members who wish to return; members of well established and recognized church choirs; those who have sung in semi-professional, or professional choirs; those whose churches have discontinued their choirs and wish to continue singing sacred choral music; alumni from North Central University choirs who sang under Larry Bach, and alumni from other college choirs with an established choral tradition.

Chrismon Chorale is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions to the Chorale are tax deductible. The Chorale depends on free-will concert offerings, member dues, donations, and sponsorship for fiscal support. Donations can be sent through PayPal or by mailing a check to: Chrismon Chorale, PO Box 130334, St Paul, MN 55113.