ABOUT THE CEDAR RAPIDS CONCERT CHORALE
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The Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization offering choral music for everyone in our community. We invite participants of all ages, backgrounds and talents to be part of our group without auditions or fees. The Chorale has been active since 1959, now in its 66th year, carrying out the mission to intertwine first-class choral music appreciation and performance with fun and inclusiveness. Along with performing a broad repertoire of music with a true cross-section of our community’s adults, we also commit to engaging in new community outreach opportunities each year. Over the past several decades, our performances have included:
MISSION: The Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale aims to promote choral music appreciation and develop musicianship by performing a broad repertoire of music while providing youth and community outreach opportunities. VISION: To achieve artistic excellence in performing outstanding choral music. All are welcome within the Chorale. We promote membership without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, creed, service in the uniformed services, veteran status, sex, age, political affiliation, marital or family status, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. |
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Community Impact
In addition to providing free tickets to students at all Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale performances, we volunteer regularly at events throughout our community. Are you interested in having the Chorale perform at your public event? Contact us today at [email protected].
Director
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Dr. Gerald Kreitzer
Director of Music Activities at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids. He earned his DMA in Choral Conducting at the University of Iowa, where he studied conducting with Don V. Moses and James Dixon. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Masters in Music degrees from the University of South Dakota. |
Assistant Director
Marita Wolgast
Received her Master of Music in piano performance from Arizona State University. She has been on the faculty of Coe College since 1995. She is also the Coordinator of Traditional Worship and Fine Arts Events at First Lutheran Church, where she has been on staff since 1990.
Received her Master of Music in piano performance from Arizona State University. She has been on the faculty of Coe College since 1995. She is also the Coordinator of Traditional Worship and Fine Arts Events at First Lutheran Church, where she has been on staff since 1990.
2025-2026 Board of Directors
President: Liz Myers
Liz is the current board president of Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale. A former competitive dancer, she has a lifelong love of the arts. Liz is a banker with over a decade of experience, at Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust and is actively involved in the community.”
Immediate Past President: Courtney Smock
Courtney Smock is a founding partner at Slingshot25, a leadership development consulting company. Prior to starting her own business, Courtney worked at Collins Aerospace, Pearson and McLeodUSA. She is a change management expert, leadership development trainer and certified executive coach.
President Elect: Heather Dankert
A proud member of the CRCC's Board of Directors for the last three years, Heather serves as our immediate past president. In addition, she is a Soprano in the choir and leads our Outreach committee
Treasurer: Pam Richardson
Pam Richardson joined the CRCC Board of Directors in August 2021 as Treasurer. Singing, she would be a tenor - feeding the music gene with her church choir. Pam has professional experience with multiple manufacturers in accounting and audit roles. Spare time is split among non-profit organizations - both within Cedar Rapids and nationally.
Secretary: Dorothy Cooper Landt
Dorothy has been a member of the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale since 2019 and has served as Board Secretary since 2023. A retired marketing, sales, and administrative manager, she brings broad professional experience from organizations including Amana Appliances, Alliant Energy, Rockwell Collins, Raining Rose, Channel Fusion, and government flood assistance programs. She is proud to support CRCC’s mission and values the Chorale’s role in enriching the cultural life of the community.
Membership Liaison: Barbara Koch
Barbara joined the Concert Chorale in 2020 and has served on the Board as the Membership Liaison since 2023. Having had a long career as a social worker at Mercy Medical Center, she enjoys facilitating communication and building relationships within the Chorale. In addition to her Chorale activities, Barbara is a busy volunteer at her church and at Hospice of Mercy.
Community Member: Kara Munro
Kara is in her third year as a Board Member with the Chorale and is happy to be back in Cedar Rapids after many years living in New York, Chicago, London, and most recently Los Angeles. Returning home has given her the chance to live closer to family and reconnect with the vibrant arts scene in the community. Her career has focused on marketing, partnerships, and promotions for live entertainment organizations including Cirque du Soleil, The Getty Museum, and the Harlem Globetrotters and traveling with Broadway shows like Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago and Hamilton. She especially enjoys bringing people together through arts and culture and talking about travels around the world.
Community Member: Jeff Beers
Community Member: Mark Van Heukelom
Mark is a Cedar Rapids native and is a former high school performing arts student of Dr. Gerald Kreitzer’s. He is an estate planning attorney at the law firm of Bradley & Riley PC and has been a member of the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale Board of Directors since 2022. Mark assists the Chorale with tax and legal matters.
Community Member: Sarah Gorsh
Sarah is an 'at large' member of our Board of Directors in addition to her day job as a small business consultant at High Torque Business Solutions, Sarah also serves on various boards for her church and her children's school, usually in the marketing and technology spaces. Sarah is the webmaster for our chorale.org website and assists with marketing activities.
Community Member: Sue Sprague
Community Member: Sarah Burnes
Sarah Burnes is the Director of National Accounts at GreatAmerica Financial Services, a dedicated advocate for the arts in Cedar Rapids, and an active member of the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale. As a lifelong supporter of music and community organizations, she proudly serves on our Board of Directors bringing deep experience in strategic relationship-building, fundraising, and organizational leadership — skills to advance the Chorale’s mission and strengthen its impact in the community.