Los Alamos Choral Society Spring Rehearsals Begin Feb. 10, 2026; Singers Invited

The Los Alamos Choral Society is calling for new and returning singers as it prepares to open its Spring 2026 semester on February 10. The announcement follows the choral society’s winter concert, setting the group on a fast track from performance into rehearsal and offering residents a chance to join a long-standing local arts institution.

The winter program, billed as "Journey Into Light / Songs of Faith and Joy," is scheduled for January 31 at 3:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church. The society’s website notes, "Winter Concert January 31st, 2026 / United Methodist Church • 3:00 p.m. / $15 Adults • Students Free," and describes the program in detail: "Our upcoming concert features a modern setting of the traditional mass, the harmonically rich Sunrise Mass by Ola Gjeilo, accompanied by string orchestra. Arise, Shine! is a vibrant piece by Dan Forrest that is sure to please. Shorter classical works by Schubert and Mendelssohn, You Are the New Day by King’s Singer’s, and a fun surprise will round out the program." The concert-to-rehearsal sequencing gives prospective singers a clear local showcase to hear the choir before committing to the spring semester.

Derek Gilmour leads the society as choral conductor. The society’s biography states, "Derek has been with Los Alamos Choral Society since June 2024, when he moved to Los Alamos with his wife and two children." It adds, "With a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting, Derek brings a wealth of experience leading award-winning choirs in Texas and New Mexico. His deep love of music, extensive knowledge of choral vocal technique and enthusiasm make rehearsals both challenging and fun. He looks forward to helping the choir grow as they bring choral artistry and beauty to the community." Those remarks frame the spring semester as an opportunity to work under a conductor with formal training and recent local roots.

Community context underscores the society’s role in county life. As the Los Alamos Daily Post notes, "The Los Alamos Choral Society is a volunteer choral group that has been singing in Los Alamos since November 1943." The Daily Post also reported, "The Los Alamos Choral Society invites all interested singers to join them for their 2024-25 season" and that the group "encourage[s] anyone, regardless of age or musical background, who enjoys singing and seriously wants to participate in the production of choral music, to join the choral society." The Daily Post listed Cindy Little as accompanist in its Fall 2024 coverage and supplied rehearsal logistics for that season: registration at 6:30 p.m. and rehearsals 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays in the United Church Sanctuary, with "No audition required." Those Fall 2024 details are offered as historical context and should not be assumed to apply to Spring 2026 without confirmation.

Local media also ran the call for singers; a community announcement headlined "Los Alamos Choral Society Spring Semester Rehearsals Begin Feb. 10: All Singers Invited" appeared in the Los Alamos Reporter. For questions or confirmation of spring rehearsal times, venue, audition policy, accompanist status, or registration procedures, the Los Alamos Daily Post Fall 2024 item lists Wendy Swanson at w_swanson@mac.com as a contact, and the choral society’s website provides an email contact option for the organization.

The spring opening gives Los Alamos residents a straightforward entry point into community music-making under a newly established local conductor and ahead of a substantive winter program. For anyone interested in participating, confirming rehearsal schedule and logistics now will ensure a smooth start to the Feb. 10 semester.