About The Tower Chorale
Choral Excellence rooted in community since 1986
For four decades, The Tower Chorale has brought together dedicated volunteer singers to perform meaningful choral music at a high artistic level, rooted in community and shared purpose.
Who We Are
The Tower Chorale is a high-quality, all-volunteer community chorus based in Western Springs, presenting three thoughtfully programmed concerts each season. Our repertoire spans major choral masterworks, seasonal favorites, and music drawn from diverse traditions and styles — sacred and secular alike.
Across every program, our focus remains constant: careful preparation, expressive music-making, and respect for the music and the people who bring it to life.
We regularly collaborate with professional instrumentalists and guest artists, enabling volunteer singers to participate in performances of depth, scale, and artistic integrity — experiences often associated with fully professional ensembles.
Artistic Leadership
The Tower Chorale is guided by strong artistic leadership that challenges singers musically while fostering a respectful and welcoming rehearsal culture.
Under the direction of Patrick Godon, the Tower Chorale presents performances that balance artistic ambition with thoughtful preparation and deep respect for volunteer singers. Working closely with skilled accompanists and professional collaborators, the Tower Chorale artistic team creates performances that are both rigorous and rewarding.
Artistic Director
Patrick Godon
Patrick Godon has served as Artistic Director of The Tower Chorale since 2011, shaping the ensemble’s artistic vision, rehearsal process, and performance standards. Under his leadership, the Chorale has earned a reputation for polished performances, ambitious repertoire, and a musical culture that balances rigor with respect for the volunteer singers who choose to be there.
An accomplished pianist, organist, and conductor, Patrick maintains an active performing career alongside his work with the Chorale. He performs regularly with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as a principal keyboardist on piano, organ, celesta, and synthesizer, and has appeared with the CSO at Orchestra Hall, Ravinia, on national and international tours, and at Carnegie Hall. His performances have also been heard on WFMT, Chicago’s classical music station.
Patrick has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras and has collaborated with many of the world’s leading conductors and musicians. He is in frequent demand as a collaborative pianist, with work spanning orchestral, chamber, vocal, liturgical, and popular repertoire — reflecting both deep versatility and musical curiosity.
In addition to his work with The Tower Chorale, Patrick is the founder and Artistic Director of International Chamber Artists, a professional ensemble dedicated to high-level performance and audience engagement. The ensemble is frequently featured on WFMT. He also serves as Organist and Choirmaster at the Church of the Holy Spirit, where he oversees a comprehensive choral program and leads ensembles that have performed nationally and internationally, including residencies in England.
As a conductor and collaborator, Patrick is known for his clarity, preparation, and ability to draw committed performances from musicians at all levels. His approach to leadership emphasizes musical growth, shared responsibility, and the joy of making music together — values that define The Tower Chorale’s rehearsal room and performances alike.
Featured In: Hillgrove Avenue Magazine (June 2026)
Hillgrove Avenue Magazine recently profiled Music Director Patrick Godon, discussing his 15 years with Tower Chorale, his approach to challenging singers, and what makes the Western Springs community special.
Read the article →
Accompanist
Emma Gingold
Emma Gingold serves as Accompanist for The Tower Chorale, bringing fifteen years of experience performing with and coaching singers, instrumentalists, and theatre performers all over Chicagoland.
During her career as a pianist, Emma has always found the most joy in collaborative music-making. She has accompanied many local curricular choirs, beginning her career just down the road at Lyons Township High School. She also enjoys performing with festival soloists, church choirs, and pit orchestras. Emma has provided music direction for high school, professional, and community theatres such as Morton West High School, Theatre-Hikes Chicago, and Summer Place Theatre, where she volunteered on the executive board for many years.
Emma holds a Master of Music in Collaborative Piano (Vocal Coaching) from North Park University in Chicago. In addition to working with The Tower Chorale, Emma serves as Staff Pianist at Triton College in River Grove and Maine East High School in Park Ridge. She’s always inspired by participating in community service and activism, and by teaching and learning with her wonderful piano students. Non-musical pursuits include gardening, crafting, and camping with her husband, her dogs, and her cat—but even then, there’s usually a song stuck in her head.
A Collaborative Musical Team
Artistic leadership at The Tower Chorale is grounded in collaboration.
Conductor, accompanist, and singers work as musical partners — listening closely, responding to one another, and shaping performances together.
For major works, this collaboration is enriched through performances with professional instrumentalists and soloists, reinforcing a shared commitment to musical excellence.
Our History
The Tower Chorale was founded in 1986 by James Winfield, in collaboration with the Western Springs Community Center Association. From its earliest days, the ensemble was envisioned as something uplifting — its name inspired by the iconic Western Springs water tower and a shared aspiration to bring people together through music.
Over time, the chorus grew into an independent nonprofit organization, drawing singers from a wide range of musical backgrounds and presenting performances in the western suburbs and beyond. Milestones have included collaborations with distinguished musicians, performances in notable venues, and meaningful musical experiences at home and abroad.
Since 2011, under the artistic leadership of Patrick Godon, The Tower Chorale has continued to evolve while remaining grounded in its founding values: care for the music, respect for volunteer singers, and belief in the power of shared musical experience.
Governance & Organization
The Tower Chorale is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Directors and supported by a committed community of singers, patrons, and partners.
Our work is sustained through ticket revenue, member dues, grants, donations, fundraisers, program advertising, and volunteer leadership. We value continuity, thoughtful planning, and shared responsibility — creating an organizational structure that supports artistic ambition while remaining accessible and welcoming.
This balance allows The Tower Chorale to maintain high musical standards while staying true to its community-centered mission.
Our volunteer Board of Directors provides leadership and stewardship in support of The Tower Chorale’s artistic mission and long-term sustainability: