Where in the state is Pacific Chorale?
While bringing Tarik O’Regan’s “All Things Common” to arresting visual life for “The Wayfaring Project,” Pacific Chorale and Jeff Dolen Productions managed to visit and film within a broad range of different landscapes in one single day—thanks to the Fullerton Arboretum, which graciously shared its beautiful and diverse gardens with us!
Experience the full Album All Things Common
Pacific Chorale welcomes our new Interim Assistant Conductor, Kibsaim Escarcega. Kibsaim is a recent graduate from Cal State Fullerton’s Master of Music program in Choral Conducting. He was awarded the inaugural John Alexander Graduate Choral Conducting Scholarship following his superb audition for the program, and continued to perform with considerable excellence (musical and collegial) throughout his graduate career. Kibsaim has conducted many levels of choral and instrumental ensembles, has received significant training in opera conducting, and is himself a wonderful tenor.
Kibsaim is a marvelous musician, and I am consistently impressed with his abilities. Most importantly, he is a fantastic teacher, and an all-around amazing person. I know that he will […] immediately become a cherished member of our Pacific Chorale family. I am really excited to collaborate with him, and know our singers will love working with him on the podium.
— Robert Istad, Artistic Director
Kibsaim currently serves at the Interim Choral Director at Tustin Presbyterian Church, in addition to his new responsibilities at Pacific Chorale. Read his full bio here:
Kibsaim Escarcega is excited to embark on a new chapter as Interim Assistant Conductor for the Pacific Chorale. Kibsaim is the Chancel Choir Director at Tustin Presbyterian Church. Born and raised in Southern California, he continues to be an active member of the choral community as both a teacher, singer, and conductor.
Kibsaim received his Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of California, Irvine, and his Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from California State University, Fullerton. He studied voice with Dr. Darryl Taylor and conducting with Dr. Seth Houston, Dr. Stephen Tucker, Dr. Robert Istad, and Kimo Furumoto.
While at UC Irvine, Kibsaim served as conductor for the student-run BATS choir, assistant conductor for the Chamber Singers and Concert Choir, and as chorus master for numerous UCI opera productions.
As a graduate student at CSUF, Kibsaim served as the Graduate Assistant Conductor for Women’s Choir (now Titan Voices), Concert Choir, Opera Theatre, and University Singers. Kibsaim was also the inaugural recipient of the John Alexander Scholarship for Graduate Choral Conducting, a full tuition scholarship for graduate studies.
Kibsaim plans to pursue his DMA in conducting in the future and continue to work and make music with many more ensembles.
Contact:
Ryan McSweeney, Director of Marketing and Box Office | Pacific Chorale
714.662.2345 | ryan@pacificchorale.org
COSTA MESA, CA; JULY 13, 2021 – Pacific Chorale is responding to meet the needs of our children and community by providing an artistic outlet through which our youth can connect and heal in a joyful setting that promotes self-esteem.
“Let’s Pony Up for the Kids” is four days of national giving that will take place July 13 – 16, 2021 as a response to the unprecedented need in the children’s charity community caused by COVID-19. So many aspects of a healthy successful childhood are cared for by charities. In this time of unprecedented need, “Let’s Pony Up for the Kids” is a time to come together as a nation and support them because their future is in our hands.
BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS A VOICE
Pacific Chorale is joining the Festival of Children Foundation in its “Let’s Pony Up for the Kids” initiative to continue to serve and protect our children’s artistic future as we look to move beyond the unprecedented disruption of the past 16 months.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pacific Chorale remained flexible and nimble, creating virtual and hybrid programs to serve the community in a constantly changing landscape.
Pacific Chorale transitioned the popular after school Pacific Chorale Academy program to Pacific Chorale Academy @Home. The online program focused on creativity, wellness, and joy, which were vital to children isolated by school lockdowns. Students explored their voices, wrote songs, created videos, and even made new online friends. As with the live program, the online program was offered at no charge to ensure that it was accessible for all.
As we move back to in-person performances and education programs, we want to continue providing an artistic outlet to connect, heal and bring joy to our children and community. Pacific Chorale hopes to raise $5,000 through this initiative, which will help to sustain and support our education programs.
“As not only an administrator but also an educator, I have had the first-hand opportunity to see the children in Pacific Chorale Academy @Home grow and blossom as they discover their own voices and develop the confidence to express themselves within a fun, safe, and supportive space,” said Dr. Molly Pontin, Pacific Chorale’s Vice President and Director of Education and Community Programs. “In Academy they learn teamwork by writing songs together, they gain the courage to sing for one another and record music together. It’s an exercise in building the strength of both the individual student and the community during this time when both have been under enormous stress.”
People can show their generosity in a variety of ways during “Let’s Pony Up for the Kids”, whether by donating, registering as a fundraiser, or simply raising awareness on social media. The national effort will emphasize the power of collaboration and how much can be achieved by working together.
“COVID-19 has touched every person in this country, and it presents an opportunity to come together as a charitable community”, said Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, founder & executive director of Festival of Children Foundation. “Generosity gives everyone power to make a positive change in the lives of children.”
Those interested in joining Pacific Chorale’s “Let’s Pony Up for the Kids” efforts can visit https://ponyup21.funraise.org/fundraiser/pacific-chorale.
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About Pacific Chorale
Pacific Chorale is the primary artistic, social, and civic outlet for 150 dedicated volunteer singers. Many of our volunteers are music teachers or work in arts industries, but the vast majority are avocational musicians with diverse backgrounds, united in their love of choral music. Pacific Chorale offers them an opportunity to sing, buoyed by a small core of professional vocalists, with Pacific Symphony, the L.A. Philharmonic, and many other orchestras, in venues ranging from community-based churches to Segerstrom Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. Incomparable artistic opportunities and deep community connection are among the reasons that our members dedicate an average of 122 hours to rehearsals and performances heard by more than 18,000 listeners annually. In order to reduce barriers to access, volunteer singers are never charged dues to participate.
Pacific Chorale also serves the community with award-winning programs for kids in grades 1-12 and adults. These high-quality enrichment programs are offered at low or no cost in order to ensure equitable access to all interested singers. “Pacific Chorale Academy” is an after-school program for elementary students which uses the fun of choir to reinforce important skills like persistence, teamwork, and self-discipline. “Choral Camp,” in partnership with Cal State Fullerton and taught by some of CSUF’s top faculty, provides local, affordable summer enrichment for high school students. “Intro to the Arts” provides hundreds of free tickets through schools and social service partners, so that the ability to purchase a ticket is never a barrier to concert attendance. For adult singers, our annual Choral Festival opens the stage doors to over 300 non-auditioned community vocalists each year, who join with Pacific Chorale for a weekend of rehearsals and a performance in what many describe as a “bucket list” event.
About “Let’s Pony Up for the Kids
“Let’s Pony Up for the Kids” is a national fundraising effort organized by Festival of Children Foundation to bring support to the greatest needs of children’s charities. This peer-to-peer fundraising campaign enables organizations to mobilize volunteers as fundraisers, attract new donors, and generate awareness for critical missions that have been economically impacted by COVID-19. For more information, visit www.festivalofchildren.org/ponyup.
About Festival of Children Foundation
Festival of Children Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that serves to bring together and coordinate the efforts of charities, companies and individuals who actively work to improve the lives of children. Festival of Children Foundation gives a voice, guidance and support. 100% of the administrative costs are covered by designated funding, allowing donations to go further in direct support of programs and services that improve the lives of children. For more information, visit www.festivalofchildren.org.
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If either soprano Katie Martini or flutist Joseph Loi suffers from fear of heights, you’d never have known it from their performances for “The Wayfaring Project,” shooting on the fourth level balcony of the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Katie and Joseph are our featured soloists on “Light of a Clear Blue Morning,” coming soon!
Learn more about The Wayfaring Project and watch Light of a Clear Blue Morning.
Learn more about The Wayfaring Project and get your tickets to the Film Screening!
Where in the state is Pacific Chorale? While bringing Tarik O’Regan’s “All Things Common” to arresting visual life for “The Wayfaring Project,” Pacific Chorale and Jeff Dolen Productions managed to visit and film within a broad range of different landscapes in one single day—thanks to the Fullerton Arboretum, which graciously shared its beautiful and diverse
Continue ReadingPacific Chorale welcomes our new Interim Assistant Conductor, Kibsaim Escarcega. Kibsaim is a recent graduate from Cal State Fullerton’s Master of Music program in Choral Conducting. He was awarded the inaugural John Alexander Graduate Choral Conducting Scholarship following his superb audition for the program, and continued to perform with considerable excellence (musical and collegial) throughout
Continue Reading
Pacific Chorale Responds to Urgent COVID19 Need with Programs Empowering Children Through Music, Joining “Let’s Pony Up for the Kids”
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If either soprano Katie Martini or flutist Joseph Loi suffers from fear of heights, you’d never have known it from their performances for “The Wayfaring Project,” shooting on the fourth level balcony of the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Katie and Joseph are our featured soloists on “Light of a Clear Blue Morning,” coming
Continue ReadingThis week saw Pacific Chorale return to Segerstrom Center for the Arts for the first time in 519 days! Rob, the singers, soloists, director Jeff Dolen, and crew were there on Monday filming segments of Alleluia for The Wayfaring Project. It was so good to be back together in this beautiful space! Learn more about
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