The Orpheus Singers
Making Music since May 2012
The Orpheus Singers
Making Music since May 2012
About Us
Formed in May 2012, the Orpheus Singers is central Pennsylvania's premier chamber choral ensemble. The approximately twenty-four voiced choir, under the direction of conductor Jacob Mandell, has been praised for its choral artistry, outstanding caliber of musicianship, and innovative programing, creating experiences described by audiences as "stunning", "transcendent", and "inspirational". A frequent collaborator, the ensemble has performed alongside the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra (PCO), Altoona Symphony Orchestra (ASO), and the Penn State School of Music, and at venues such as the Music at Penn’s Woods Festival (sponsored by Penn State University) and the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. Notable appearances include the Orpheus Singers' performance of Sergei Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil, the upcoming northeastern U.S. premiere of Timothy Takach's Helios, and as a participating ensemble in the Penn State School of Music's production of Leonard Bernstein's Mass in 2015.
Book us! The Orpheus Singers is available to perform in the State College / Altoona / Harrisburg area. For more information, email theorpheussingers@gmail.com.
Come sing with us! To learn more about upcoming projects and to arrange an audition, please email theorpheussingers@gmail.com.
Upcoming & Past Performances
Upcoming & Past Performances
Upcoming Performances
Our 15th Anniversary 2026-2027 Season is “Telling Our Story!”
Stay tuned for ticket information!
past performances
June 14, 2026: Northeaster choral premiere of Timothy C. Takach’s “Helios” at Calvary Harvest Fields, Boalsburg, PA
March 1, 2026: A World of My Devising @ State College Presbyterian Church
December 6, 2025: Home for the Holidays, in collaboration with the Altoona Symphony Orchestra @ Altoona Area High School
November 9, 2025: Gratitude @ State College Presbyterian Church
Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil, in collaboration with Grantham Consort:
June 14th, 2025 @ State College Presbyterian Church
June 15th @ Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, HarrisburgSunday, February 23rd: #twitterlieder: from youth to old age @ State College Presbyterian Church
Sunday, October 27th: Love Songs, Daydreams, & Bedtime Stories @ Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County
Sunday, February 25th: Meditations on the Cross @ Faith United Church of Christ, State College, PA
Friday, October 27th, 2023: Afternoon on a Hill: Classical & Contemporary Choral Works @ Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, University Park, PA
Sunday, November 6th, 2022: Come In: Works by Aaron Copland, Randall Thompson, and Gerald Finzi @ Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, University Park, PA
Wednesday, July 13th, 2022: Pat Farrell Community Sing Along at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts
Friday, December 13th, 2019: Midwinter Carols @ Grace Lutheran Church, State College, PA
Sunday, September 22, 2019: Love & Lamentations @ Grace Lutheran Church, State College, PA
Sunday, December 9, 2018: A Classical Christmas Celebration with the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra @ The State Theatre, State College, PA
Tuesday, July 31, 2018: Bar Choir! An informal rehearsal & performance @ Barrel 21 distillery, State College, PA
Saturday, April 7, 2018: Orff's Carmina Burana with the Penn State University Concert Choir, State College Area High School Mastersingers, and Altoona Symphony Orchestra
Sunday, December 10th, 2017: Handel's Messiah with the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra @ The State Theatre, State College, PA
Saturday, June 17, 2017: Bach's Magnificat with the Music at Penn's Woods Orchestra @ Esber Recital Hall, Penn State University
Sunday, December 11th, 2016, 7:30pm: Handel's Messiah with the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra @ Schwab Auditorium, Penn State UniversityWednesday, December 14th, 2016, 7:30pm: Handel's Messiah with the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra@ Faith United Methodist Church, Bellefonte, PA
Wednesday, April 20th, 2016: "Sacred & Profane" (with Music at the Palmer @ the Palmer Museum of Art, Penn State University)
Wednesday, December 16th, 2015: Handel's Messiah (with the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra @ Faith United Methodist Church, Bellefonte, PA)
Sunday, December 13th, 2015: Handel's Messiah (with the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra @ Schwab Auditorium, Penn State University)
Thursday, July 9th, 2015: I Hear America Singing! From Billings to Broadway (with the Central PA Arts Festival @ the State College Presbyterian Church, State College, PA)
Saturday, March 28th & Sunday, March 29th, 2015: Puccini's La Bohème (with the Penn State School of Music and the Center for Performing Arts @ Eisenhower Auditorium, Penn State University)
Wednesday, December 17th, 2014: Handel's Messiah (with the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra @ the First Presbyterian Church, Hollidaysburg, PA)
Monday, December 15th, 2014: Handel's Messiah (with the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra @ Our Lady of Victory Church, State College, PA)
Thursday, July 10th, 2014: "Sweet Lovers Love the Spring" (with the Central PA Arts Festival)
Wednesday, April 16th, 2014: "The Art of Music: Sweet Lovers Love the Spring" (with Music at the Palmer @ the Palmer Museum of Art, Penn State University)
Thursday, December 5th, 2013: Handel's Messiah (with the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra @ the State College Alliance Church, State College, PA)
Wednesday, April 17, 2013: "Five Mystical Songs" (Vaughan Williams) and "Orpheus with His Lute" (Macfarren) (with Music at the Palmer @ the Palmer Museum of Art, Penn State University)
Friday, April 5, 2013: Leonard Bernstein's Mass (with the Penn State School of Music and the Center for the Performing Arts @ the Eisenhower Auditorium)
Wednesday, June 13, 2012: Music at Penns Woods Chamber Music Concert
Our Team
Our Team
Jacob Mandell, Director
Described as “a class of his own” and “a rising choral star”, Mr. Jacob Mandell is quickly being recognized as a premiere choral conductor, educator, and clinician. As a native of central Pennsylvania, he is widely recognized as a leader in community engagement and has built several choral organizations and programs, enhancing their musical footprint in the area. Choirs under Jacob’s direction have garnered praise for their artistry, sensitivity, and inspiring and moving programming.
Jacob enters into his fourth season with the Orpheus Singers and his tenth season with the Clearfield Choral Society. As a public music educator, he is now the newly-appointed director of choirs for the Hollidaysburg Area School District. Prior to this appointment, he served as the director of choirs and drama for the Curwensville Area School District. Choirs under his direction have performed with notable organizations, such as the Nittany Valley Symphony, Altoona Symphony Orchestra, and at conferences of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. In addition, he serves as part of the Department of Liturgical Music for the Orthodox Church in America.
Jacob received his Masters of Music in Choral Conducting degree from Simpson College and a Bachelor's of Science degree in Music Education from Messiah University. He is an active member of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA), American Choral Director's Association (ACDA), Chorus America, and the Orthodox Church in America (OCA).
The Executive Committee
The Orpheus Singers Executive Committee is made up of a group of dedicated volunteers who steer and support efforts relating to strategic planning, logistics, development, financial accounting, and promotion. Our current executive board members are: Rachel W. M. Galloway, President; Liz King, Vice President; Theo Chitester, Secretary; Sandi Rockwell, Treasurer; and Karen Simring, Development and Outreach. If you would be interested in serving on the Executive Committee, please email us at theorpheussingers@gmail.com.
Support Us
Support Us
By making a tax-deductible donation to the Orpheus Singers, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, you’re supporting Centre County’s premiere chamber choir and supporting the arts in central Pennsylvania. Thank you!