Friends Chorale Bio

“A group of friends that come together in unity to transform a nation through song.”

​

Established on January 8, 2010, by founder and visionary leader Montrae Tisdale, Montrae Tisdale and The Friends Chorale was birthed from a passion for music ministry and authentic friendship. The ensemble hosted their inaugural concert in April 2010, marking the beginning of what would become a powerful and enduring journey. What began as a group of friends united in song quickly evolved into a remarkable brotherhood and sisterhood rooted in ministry, excellence, and purpose.

​

The choir gained both local and national exposure after being featured in the Verizon How Sweet the Sound competition and later performing at ChoirFest hosted by gospel icon Hezekiah Walker.

In April 2013, Montrae Tisdale and The Friends Chorale released their inaugural project, I’m Alive. The album featured multi–Stellar Award winner Jonathan Nelson on the powerful title track “We Reverence You.” Montrae also paid tribute to one of his musical mentors, Ricky Dillard, by recording a high-energy rendition of “Search Me Lord.”

​

The ensemble’s excellence led to multiple award nominations, including the Steeple Awards, and they were honored as Rhythm of Gospel Award Winners for Contemporary Choir of the Year on July 26, 2014.

Their sophomore album, Bishop Larry D. Trotter Presents Montrae Tisdale and The Friends Chorale, marked a major milestone. The project debuted nationally on Billboard, reaching #31 on the National Digital Sales Chart and earning the choir its first Stellar Award nomination under the leadership of Larry D. Trotter.

​

In November 2019, the choir released the single “Help Me Lift Jesus,” featuring Stellar Award-winning powerhouse Beverly Crawford. Penned by maestro Vincent Bohanan, the song gained worldwide radio airplay and elevated the ministry’s global reach.

Continuing their momentum, the group released “Keep Holding On” in November 2020, featuring Roosevelt Harris, accompanied by a music video filmed at historic Tisdale landmarks.

​

Their third project, The Good Friday Experience: Take II, expanded their national footprint and garnered over 500,000 streams, earning their first Grammy Award consideration. The project featured gospel luminaries including Kim Burrell, Zacardi Cortez, Larry D. Trotter, Tammy Moore of The Truthettes, Donishisa Ballard, and C. Ashley Brown.

​

Montrae Tisdale and The Friends Chorale have also recorded multiple projects with platinum-selling mega ministry Life.Church and Life Church Worship.

​

Their album The Faith Journey soared to the top of the charts and stands as one of the most impactful releases in their catalog. Featuring gospel royalty Ricky Dillard, VaShawn Mitchell, Tallie Rogers, Nakitta Foxx, and Kim Burrell, the album earned multiple Stellar Award nominations in 2024 and received recognition from the Stellar Awards in August 2025. The project also won an Avidity Award for Traditional Choir of the Year.

​

With a legacy rooted in unity, excellence, and transformative worship, Montrae Tisdale and The Friends Chorale continue to make an unforgettable impact on the world—one song at a time.