Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh


 

Sheet music pages showing musical notation and lyrics spread open on a surface.

The Client


The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh is a Grammy-nominated, symphonic chorus of skilled volunteer and professional singers that regularly performs with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

It is known for high artistic standards, innovative programming, and strong community and educational engagement. The singers in the choir are a microcosm of Pittsburgh.

Red text logo design for Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh.
A group of students working together in a bright classroom with large windows and wooden furniture.

The Project Context

This session was booked on short notice after the choir reached out to document a pivotal moment: their annual retreat at a church in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA.

This retreat marked the first official rehearsal with their newly hired music director, Daniel Singer.

 

What They Needed

 

 

  • Action shots of the choir singing during rehearsal
  • A mix of candid and lightly staged moments
  • Images that would support promotional needs across web and social
  • Updated visuals to introduce Daniel in a way that felt aligned with their artistry and community

 

 

What They Wanted To Communicate

 

 

The goal was to visually communicate:

  • A new era under Daniel’s leadership
  • The professionalism and warmth of the ensemble
  • The collaborative, community-centered feel of the retreat environment

 

The Session

I documented the retreat with a mix of candid and guided moments, including:
Professional headshot of a person in a white dress shirt against a blurred green outdoor background.
  • Icebreakers and group activities
  • Rehearsal time in a dedicated practice space
  • Full-choir work inside a large, airy church
  • Individual and small-group moments featuring the new director
  • A polished, website-ready headshot of the director


Standout moments

During their practice they gather into the church. All the singers created a circle and the new director was in the middle aisle. The result included  the image below, which they used on the website.

A series of website screenshots showing professional profile pages with blue and white design elements.

The Results (How They Used The Photos)

The images were used immediately to refresh the choir’s digital presence, including:

  • Main website header
  • About page, including the director’s new headshot and a feature section introducing him
  • Social media announcements and updates
Group of people sitting on brick steps during an outdoor gathering.
A person in a white shirt gestures while speaking to a group in an indoor space.
People raising their hands during a church service or religious gathering.
People gather in a bright church hall or community room for what appears to be a meeting or event.
A large group of people gathered in a bright indoor venue for a social event with tables and chairs.
Sheet music pages showing musical notation and lyrics spread open on a surface.
People gathered in an elegant room with white paneled walls and wooden railings.
Interior view of a church sanctuary with wooden pews and stained glass windows.
Group of people sitting in church pews next to a piano during a musical performance or rehearsal.
Audience members watching and smiling during an indoor event.
Several people in casual attire reading from papers while seated outdoors.
People seated indoors reviewing documents in a bright room with windows.
A group of people in striped shirts stand together in a bright hallway looking at papers and documents.
Congregation members holding hymnals during a worship service.