Then

In the fall of 1973 Judith Westcott, Music Director of Bethany Lutheran Church, was asked to provide music for the Annual Lutheran Reformation Service to be held at Shove Chapel on the Colorado College Campus. Using the Bethany Choir as the nucleus, Judith brought together a community ensemble to perform the Christmas portion of Handel's "Messiah." Following the success and joy of this experience, the singers decided to form an ongoing community chorus. Founding member and Latin teacher, Irma Borgen, suggested the name "Soli Deo Gloria," translated, "Glory To God Alone." (SDG was penned at the conclusion of compositions by J.S. Bach, G.F. Handel, and many others.) This name was unanimously adopted, and SDG Choir was born

 

K. Kenneth Westcott served as director with Judith Westcott as assistant director and pianist through the spring of 1986. SDG is also grateful to Dr. J. Julius Baird for providing encouragement, rehearsal space, and concert venues during the early years. The Westcotts envisioned a non-auditioned community chorus that would provide concerts to the Pike's Peak region each year. This tradition continues to this day!

 

The years between then and now have brought many conductors to the podium, many experiences to the singers, and a great deal of wonderful music to the people of Colorado Springs, and beyond. We thank and celebrate the musical leadership of:

1973 - 1986 Judith and Ken Westcott

1986 - 1994 Anne Hamre (Calvin Rodgers 1-year sabbatical replacement)

1994 - 1998 Edmund Ladouceur

1999 - 2001 Robert Crowder

2001 - 2010 Brad Peterson

2010 - 2011 Ray Killian (Edmund Ladoucer Fall 2011)

2012 - 2017 Gary DeKler

2017 - present Nathaniel Voelker

 

SDG Choir has been truly blessed to have four wonderful Principal Pianists serving in musical leadership since 1973: Judith Westcott, Charlene Noland, Emily Walker, and Ruth Schubarth. (There have also been several others that have stepped in as sabbatical replacements, substitutes, or guest artists.)

 

Under our previous fantastic conductors, SDG Choir has performed more outstanding compositions by more great composers than you might possibly want to read about. a few highlights include performing with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic for July 4th festivities as well as several major concerts, the Pueblo Symphony, City of Colorado Springs 'Festival of Lights', Air Force Band of the Rockies, Air Force Academy Cadets, and for the "Great American Railroad Journeys" on BBC. In 1980, members of SDG Choir traveled to Washington D.C. to sing as a part of the inaugural festivities for President Ronald Regan. In May 2003, SDG traveled to New York City to sing the Mozart's Requiem at Carnegie Hall under the direction of John Rutter.​ On April 19, 2026 SDG Choir will once again return to Carnegie Hall to perform Mozart's Requiem, under our current Artistic Director, Nathaniel Voelker.

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Since 2017, Nathaniel Voelker has served as SDG Choir Artistic Director and Conductor. Some of the many initiatives and events under Nate's leadership have included:

- ​Initiating a Scholarship Program for student singers and instrumentalists, resulting in a significant involvement of younger SDG members.

- Directing a choir of 150 singers at "A Celtic Christmas" with Keith and Kristyn Getty with special guest Ricky Skaggs at the Pikes Peak Center.

- Serving on the board of and partnering with various other community choruses of "Choralaborative" to perform at the Pike's Peak Center as well as in various other community events.

- Developing and presenting an online series for SDG featuring interviews with Metropolitan Opera lead singers, Grammy award-winning conductors, and composers, as well as offering lectures on Requiems through history to keep us connected and growing during the beginning of the COVID pandemic.

.- Initiating the "SDG Summer Sing," a concert in one rehearsal, which has become a new tradition, bringing many new singers to SDG.

- Arranging and leading SDG performances in Denver and Fort Collins

- Performing world premieres of commissioned compositions

- Forming the auditioned SDG Chamber Singers

- Performing with the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale at the Pike's Peak Center

- Performing with the Pueblo Choral Society (PCS) at Pueblo Memorial Hall

- Building an ongoing performance relationship with The Broadmoor
 

Today 

SDG Choir is currently in residence at First Lutheran Church, and we are very grateful for their support.

This season SDG is scheduled for performances at The Broadmoor, Broadmoor Community Church, First Lutheran Church, First United Methodist Church, and St. Michael's Episcopal Church.

SDG Singers are heard caroling downtown Colorado Springs through the Holiday shopping season

Education Programs are developing to bring youth an opportunity to perform with the SDG Chamber Singers and receive masterclasses from Nathaniel Voelker

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Beyond

SDG will be performing Mozart's Requiem at Carnegie Hall in New York City April 19, 2026

SDG Singers will sing with a 1,000 voice choir in Nairobi, Kenya in 2027 conducted by Nathaniel Voelker

SDG will tour to perform in Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague (previously canceled due to COVID)

SDG Festivals are in development in Seattle, San Francisco, Atlanta, Michigan, and New York

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As our director regularly reminds us, “A performance offers our community a glimpse into the journey we share together each week.” With every voice, we are one song! This is a great time to lend yours. 

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