Daily Independent: Phoenix Symphony Chorus adds ‘spine tingling’ moment to Beethoven work
April 24, 2025
By Steve Stockmar
The Phoenix Symphony Chorus was founded in 2001 as the resident performing partner of Arizona’s only full-time orchestra.
The fourth movement, best known as “Ode to Joy,” features four vocal soloists (Felicia Moore, soprano; Briana Elyse Hunter, mezzo soprano; Miles Mykkanen, tenor; and Norman Garrett, baritone) and a chorus.
“It’s as if each of the preceding movements are trying to find the music that will bring brotherhood to humanity,” Bookhout said.
Bookhout is also a music teacher, leading students at Glendale Preparatory Academy-Great Hearts, at 23276 N. 83rd Ave., in Peoria.
The Phoenix Symphony Chorus was founded in 2001 as the resident performing partner of Arizona’s only full-time orchestra. The all-volunteer Chorus rehearses weekly throughout the performance season, and members collectively donate more than 12,000 hours of service to music and The Phoenix Symphony each year.
“There’s something special about a group of volunteers,” Bookhout said. “They’re there only because they love doing it.”
Click here for tickets to this weekend’s performances.
