After a three-day intensive rehearsal schedule with Artistic Director Robert Istad, Pacific Chorale’s Festival Chorus performed in a free concert at Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa on Sunday, August 17, 2025.

The Festival Chorus, comprised of 285 singers from Southern California and beyond, joined together for Selections from Bernstein’s MASS, ​​​​​​​Adolphus Hailstork's I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes, and We Shall Walk Through the Valley, arranged by Undine Smith Moore.

The 2025 Choral Festival​​​​​​​, conducted by Artistic Director Robert Istad, also featured solos from Pacific Chorale's members: soprano Chelsea Chaves, tenor Daniel Coy Babcock, and tenor Nicholas Preston. Rounding out percussion this year was James Yoshizawa on the trap set and Federico Orlandini on bass guitar. 

The concert opened with a world premiere organ prelude, Medley on American Folk Songs, written just for this concert by the accomplished organist, Dr. Jung-A Lee. 

Thank you to everyone who attended this free concert!  This concert would not be possible without the generous support of our Platinum Season Sponsors, Phillip N. and Mary A. Lyons. Additional funding was also provided by the City of Costa Mesa’s Arts Grant program, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and the additional support provided by our Corporate Season Sponsor, Capital Group.

Enjoy some highlights below from the concert and backstage! Photos © Priscilla C. Scott

Highlights: Pacific Chorale Choral Festival 2025