Pacific Chorale opened our 55th season with a very special program in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa on October 15, 2022. Beginning with an angelic sounding Duruflé’s Requiem, and closing with a stimulating work of Hagen’s The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci, Artistic Director Robert Istad once again took listeners on an exquisite and uplifting journey with the sounds of Pacific Chorale.
All photos © Doug Gifford Photography
Immediately following Pacific Chorale’s season opening concert was a post-concert reception for our donors on the Box-Circle level of the Concert Hall. High in spirits after such a wonderful concert, we wanted to share a special surprise – our GRAMMY!
Pacific Symphony announced yesterday that Pacific Chorale and the American Feel Young Chorus will not be appearing on the Lunar New Year concert program(Feb. 5), although they will be seen on a pre-recorded mosaic video to the traditional Chinese song, “Swan Goose.”
The orchestra also announced the postponement of “Cathedrals of Sound” (Feb. 17-19), to be scheduled for the 2022-23 season.
With vocalists unable to rehearse of perform while wearing masks, officials felt these program changes and postponements were the best way to ensure the safety of audiences, musicians, volunteers and staff.
Pacific Symphony President and CEO John Forsyte said “We were fortunate to be able to […] make some modifications to the artist lineup for the Lunar New Year program. While we were gratified to be able to bring together an appealing program featuring works of Beethoven and Rachmaninoff with an engaging young pianist soloist in place of ‘Cathedrals of Sound,’ our disappointment is palpable at needing to postpone to next season the world premiere of ‘Fiat Lux’ by the celebrated composer Sir James MacMillan. We know our audiences share that disappointment.”
Forsyte added, “Our ongoing commitment to the well-being of our audiences, musicians and staff, though, is a responsibility we take extremely seriously. We appreciate your understanding, apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to our performances later this month that do not involve vocalists.”
Read the full press release here: https://www.pacificsymphony.org/press-detail.php?id=1067
Pacific Chorale set the mood for many this holiday season with our annual traditional musical extravaganza, Tis the Season! Enjoy some of the highlights, and see you again next year!
Photos (c) Doug Gifford Photography
“The return to the Segerstrom Concert Hall platform of the Pacific Chorale under their Artistic Director Robert Istad could not have been more warmly welcomed, and their performance of Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil Op. 37 that was the main item, filling the second half (and with the bass Ryan Thomas Antal in the first, mezzo-soprano I-Chin Betty Feinblatt in the second, and tenor Nicholas Preston in the fourth and fifth of the work’s 15 movements), showed the Chorale to have lost none of its security of pitch, clarity of articulation, and control of dynamic and rhythmic nuance, despite the long Covid-enforced absence.”
“(Tarik O’Regan’s The Stillness in Chains’) soft bitonal clashes and slowly shifting harmonies were delivered with devoted poise and accuracy by the Chorale, the sense of unresolved, poignant ache reminiscent of the work of Morten Lauridsen.”
“The concert program notes by Dr John Koegel of CSU Fullerton (are) a model of their kind”
Enjoy David Brown’s LA Opus review in it’s entirety:
David Brown, LA Opus, November 6, 2021
https://www.laopus.com/2021/11/choral-contemplations-and-visions-at.html
679 days since our last live performance, Pacific Chorale took to the stage in an incredible, emotional night many of us won’t soon forget. Thank you to everyone who saw us through this time, and to our audience, we hope it was a magical night for you too! #gratitude #singing #TogetherAgain
Press Contact:
Libby Huebner, libbyhuebner562@gmail.com, 562.799.6055
Ticketholders Required to Show Proof of Vaccination and Wear Masks Inside Venues
COSTA MESA, CA (August 26, 2021) – Pacific Chorale Artistic Director Robert Istad and Andrew Brown, President & CEO, today announced the chorus’ 2021-2022 Season featuring its return to in-person performances at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, beginning in October, with sweeping programming that builds upon its trailblazing legacy of championing contemporary composers. The “A-list ensemble” (Los Angeles Times) acclaimed for its “polish, poise and tonal splendor” (Orange County Register) presents five transformative programs, bookending the 54th season with two world premieres by Grammy-nominated former Composer-in-Residence Tarik O’Regan, the first, The Stillness Chained, a Pacific Chorale commission set to the poetry of Yone Noguchi.
Each of the five programs includes a range of compelling works by some of the most groundbreaking composers of our time, including the West Coast premieres of Damien Geter’s profound Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow, a message of hope refracted through the lens of Bach’s musical legacy interwoven with African-American spirituals, featuring celebrated soprano Aundi Marie Moore and Pacific Symphony Principal Cellist Warren Hagerty; and Frank Ticheli’s Until Forever Fades Away, a poetic meditation on the elusive nature of time.
Among other vibrant contemporary choral works, Istad conducts Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw’s and the swallow, a setting of Psalm 84 inspired by the Syrian refugee crisis, and her playful Music in Common Time for choir and orchestra; Paul Fowler’s wordless, hypnotic Calling; and Edie Hill’s poignant We Bloomed in Spring, set to the words of St. Teresa of Avila. Pacific Chorale also performs leading Estonian composer Galina Grigorjeva’s On Leaving, a contemplation on the soul’s release from the mortal body; Spiritus Mundi, Dale Trumbore’s hymn of gratitude for the fruits of the earth; Jake Runestad’s exuberant setting of Walt Whitman’s Proud Music of the Storm; and South Korean composer Hyo-Won Woo’s dramatic Me-Na-Ri (Space Music), a work for three choirs and percussion that stretches the boundaries of choral music.
Adding further breadth to the season are three iconic 20th century choral masterworks: Rachmaninoff’s evocative a cappella Vespers (All Night Vigil), Op. 37; Martin’s Mass for Double Choir, a tour-de-force laced with vocal fireworks; and the choir’s first-ever performance of Vaughan Williams’ poignant Dona Nobis Pacem, giving voice to the plea, “Grant us peace,” and featuring renowned guest artists soprano Liv Redpath and Grammy Award-winning bass-baritone Dashon Burton.
Pacific Chorale’s signature holiday programming returns with two performances each of “Carols by Candlelight” – spotlighting timeless repertoire from the Renaissance and beyond, including works by contemporary British composers Bob Chilcott, Patrick Hawes, Cecilia McDowall, and Will Todd – and the beloved family favorite “Tis the Season!,” chock-full of festive carols, seasonal delights, and even a visit from Santa Claus. This year, “Tis the Season!” will conclude with the first live performance of Emmy Award-winning composer Gary Fry’s new arrangement of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” which Pacific Chorale commissioned and premiered during last season’s virtual holiday concert.
“As Pacific Chorale resumes singing in person, I wanted to select works that both recognize the challenges we have all faced in recent times and reflect the diverse repertoire that our singers love to perform and our audiences have come to expect,” says Istad. “Composers creating artistic statements right now are deeply connected to our current human experience. I sincerely hope their messages resonate with our singers and audiences in an immediate, powerful way. At its core, Pacific Chorale exists to unite people through choral music, so returning to live performances enhanced by the sparkling acoustics of Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall will, no doubt, be an incredibly joyful experience for all of us on the stage and in the theater.”
“We are extremely grateful to the Pacific Chorale’s loyal patrons, vital community partners and committed donors for helping the organization transition through the extended closure brought about by the global pandemic,” says Brown. “While we made it a top priority to remain artistically connected to our patrons during this challenging time by pivoting to create innovative, digital programming, there is nothing like the visceral aspect of a live performance. We are thrilled to be able to, once again, welcome patrons back inside the concert hall and showcase the Pacific Chorale’s artistry in a concert setting.”
In addition to presenting its own concert series, the Chorale makes guest appearances on five Pacific Symphony programs this season. They include Handel’s Messiah, led by Robert Moody (December 5, 2021), and four presentations under the baton of Carl St.Clair – A Lunar New Year program (February 5, 2022), Cathedrals of Sounds (February 17-19, 2022), Verdi’s Otello (April 7,9,12, 2022), and Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor (May 19-22, 2022).
Pacific Chorale continues to make the health and safety of its patrons, artists and community its top priority and has adopted the requirement that all audience members attending indoor performances be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In order to be considered fully vaccinated, patrons must confirm that at least 14 days have passed since receiving the second dose of FDA or WHO authorized double-dose vaccines or that at least 14 days have passed since receiving the sole dose of FDA or WHO authorized single-dose vaccines. Audience members may display proof of vaccine on a smartphone or by showing a physical copy of their vaccination card or official vaccination record. Children under 12 and those who are unvaccinated due to a medical or religious reason must provide proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours prior to attending. Rapid or antigen tests will not be accepted. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear masks while inside the concert venue. These safety protocols will be re-assessed on an ongoing basis and may be adjusted as public health circumstances evolve. The Chorale is closely monitoring industry and government guidance regarding the COVID-19 virus, including information supplied by the State of California, California Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Orange County Department of Public Health. For information on Pacific Chorale’s most current health and safety protocols, please visit https://www.pacificchorale.org/covid-returning-to-live-performances/.
Season tickets are available in packages of 3 to 5 concerts, ranging in price from $67 to $469. Single tickets to individual performances will go on sale on Tuesday, September 7. All Pacific Chorale concerts are presented in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, CA, except for “Carols by Candlelight” and “Songs of the Soul,” which are presented in Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach, CA. For tickets and information, visit www.pacificchorale.org or call 714-662-2345.
ROBERT ISTAD, who “fashions fluent and sumptuous readings” (Voice of OC) with his “phenomenal” artistry (Los Angeles Times), was appointed Pacific Chorale’s Artistic Director in 2017. Under his leadership, the chorus continues to expand its reputation for excellence for delivering fresh, thought-provoking interpretations of beloved masterworks, rarely performed gems and newly commissioned pieces. His artistic impact can be heard on two recent recordings featuring Pacific Chorale: “Mahler’s Eighth Symphony” with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gustavo Dudamel on Deutsche Grammophon (2021), for which he prepared the chorus, and “Ecstasies Above: The Music of Tarik O’Regan,” which he conducted, on Yarlung Records (2020). Istad has also prepared choruses for such renowned conductors as Esa-Pekka Salonen, John Williams, John Mauceri, Keith Lockhart, Nicholas McGegan, Vasilly Sinaisky, Sir Andrew Davis, Bramwell Tovey, Carl St.Clair, Eugene Kohn, Giancarlo Guerrero, Marin Alsop, George Fenton, and Robert Moody. He regularly conducts and collaborates with Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra, Sony Classical Records, Yarlung Records, Berkshire Choral International, and Long Beach Symphony Orchestra. An esteemed educator, Istad is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at California State University, Fullerton, where he was recognized as CSUF’s 2016 Outstanding Professor of the Year. He conducts the University Singers and manages a large graduate conducting program, in addition to teaching courses on conducting and performance practice. Istad, who is on the Executive Board of Directors of Chorus America and serves as Dean of Chorus America’s Conducting Academy, is in demand as guest conductor, lecturer, and clinician.
PACIFIC CHORALE, an Orange County “treasure” with a “fresh viewpoint” that “can sing anything you put in front of it, with polish, poise and tonal splendor” (Orange County Register) has “risen to national prominence” (Los Angeles Times) since its inception in 1968. Hailed for delivering “thrilling entertainment” (Voice of OC), the resident choir at Segerstrom Center for the Arts is noted for its artistic innovation and commitment to expanding the choral repertoire. It has given world, U.S., and West Coast premieres of more than 35 works, including numerous commissions, by such lauded composers as John Adams, Jake Heggie, James Hopkins, David Lang, Morten Lauridsen, Ravel, Tarik O’Regan, Karen Thomas, Frank Ticheli, András Gábor Virágh, and Eric Whitacre. In addition to presenting its own concert series each season, Pacific Chorale enjoys a long-standing partnership with Pacific Symphony, with whom the choir made its highly anticipated Carnegie Hall debut in 2018. The chorus also regularly appears with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and has performed with such leading orchestras as the Boston Symphony, National Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, and Musica Angelica, among others. Pacific Chorale has garnered international acclaim as well, having toured extensively to more than 19 countries in Europe, South America, and Asia, and through collaborations with the London Symphony, Munich Symphony, L’Orchestre Lamoureux and L’Orchestre de St-Louis-en-l’Île of Paris, National Orchestra of Belgium, China National Symphony, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Estonian National Symphony, and Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional of Argentina, among others. Deeply committed to making choral music accessible to people of all ages, the organization, which has a discography of 14 self-produced recordings and an extensive collection of exceptional free digital offerings, places a significant emphasis on choral music education, providing after-school vocal programs for elementary school students, a choral summer camp for high school students, and an annual community-wide singing event at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. www.pacificchorale.org
# # #
PACIFIC CHORALE
ROBERT ISTAD, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
2021-2022 SEASON
CHRONOLOGICAL LISTING
Rachmaninoff Vespers
Saturday, October 30, 2021 – 7:00 p.m.
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Robert Istad, conductor
Pacific Chorale
Aundi Marie Moore, soprano
Warren Hagerty, cello
| Hyo-Won WOO | Me-Na-Ri (Space Music) |
| Tarik O’REGAN | The Stillness Chained (World Premiere) |
| Damien GETER | Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow (West Coast Premiere) |
| RACHMANINOFF | Vespers (All Night Vigil), Op. 37 |
Carols by Candlelight
Saturday, December 4, 2021 – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 8, 2021 – 8:00 p.m.
Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Newport Beach
Robert Istad, conductor
Pacific Chorale
Featuring timeless seasonal repertoire from the Renaissance and beyond
| NILES / Arr. Leonard Enns | I Wonder as I Wander |
| Will TODD | The Call of Wisdom |
| Arr. Mack Wilberg & Peter Stevens | Ding! Dong! Merrily on High |
| Arr. John Rutter | O Come, O Come, Emmanuel |
| Arr. Reginald Jacques | In Dulci Jubilo |
| DERING / ed. Richard Lyne | Quem vidistis, pastores? |
| Arr. Sarah Quartel | This Endris Night |
| Arr. John Rutter | The Holly and the Ivy |
| HOWELLS | “Magnificat” from Collegium Regale |
| Arr. David Willcocks | God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen |
| Cecilia MCDOWALL | Lo He slumbers in his manger |
| GRUBER / Arr. Bob Chilcott | Silent Night |
| Patrick HAWES | Reflexionem |
| VAUGHAN WILLIAMS | Excerpts from Fantasia on Christmas Carols |
| Bob CHILCOTT | Dona Nobis Pacem |
Tis the Season!
Sunday, December 19, 2021 – 5:00 p.m.
Monday, December 20, 2021 – 7:30 p.m.
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
Robert Istad, conductor
Pacific Chorale
Members of Pacific Symphony
A family-friendly program replete with festive carols, holiday favorites and a visit from Santa Claus
| Gary FRY | O Come, O Come, Emmanuel |
| Arr. David Willcocks | O Come, All Ye Faithful |
| Bob CHILCOTT | Angel Voices Ever Singing |
| Arr. Jackson Berkey | God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen |
| Morten LAURIDSEN | O Magnum Mysterium |
| Arr. Will Todd | Once in Royal David’s City |
| Ji-Hoon PARK | Gloria from “Lightning Bug” Mass |
| Arr. Mack Wilberg | Joy to the World |
| HERMAN / Arr. Jerry Rubino | We Need a Little Christmas |
| José FELICIANO /Arr. Paul Langford | Feliz Navidad |
| STYNE & CAHN /Arr. Teena Chinn & Marc Riley | The Christmas Waltz |
| BERLIN / Arr. Marc Riley & Mac Huff | White Christmas |
| Mariah CAREY & Walter AFANASIEFF / Arr. Mac Huff & Marc Riley | All I Want for Christmas Is You |
| Arr. David Willcocks | Jingle, Bells |
| Rosephanye POWELL | Christmas Memories from “Christmas Give” |
| BIEBL | Ave Maria |
| GRUBER / Arr. Dan Forrest | Silent Night |
| Arr. Gary Fry | We Wish You a Merry Christmas |
Songs of the Soul
Saturday, March 19, 2022 – 8:00 p.m.
Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Newport Beach
Robert Istad, conductor
Pacific Chorale
| Paul FOWLER | Calling |
| Edie HILL | We Bloomed in Spring |
| Galina GRIGORJEVA | On Leaving |
| Caroline SHAW | and the swallow |
| Dale TRUMBORE | Spiritus Mundi |
| MARTIN | Mass for Double Choir |
Dona Nobis Pacem
Saturday, May 7, 2021 – 5:00 p.m.
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
Robert Istad, conductor
Pacific Chorale
Liv Redpath, soprano
Dashon Burton, bass-baritone
Pacific Symphony
| Tarik O’REGAN | World Premiere |
| Caroline SHAW | Music in Common Time |
| Frank TICHELI | Until Forever Fades Away (West Coast Premiere) |
| Jake RUNESTAD | Proud Music of the Storm |
| VAUGHAN WILLIAMS | Dona Nobis Pacem |
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Newport Beach
2100 Mar Vista Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Season subscriptions available; single tickets go on sale September 7
www.pacificchorale.org
714-662-2345
Artists, dates, programs and venues subject to change
# # #
After a 17-month “fermata,” Pacific Chorale finally returned to the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall stage to film Bach’s Jesu, meine Freude for The Wayfaring Project… and it was glorious to be back making music with our friends from Pacific Symphony again! Kudos to Arts Laureate for your superstar audio and video production expertise.
The Wayfaring Project original concert film premieres August 21st at Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ Argyros Plaza. Find out more at
https://www.pacificchorale.org/wayfaring-project
Pacific Chorale opened our 55th season with a very special program in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa on October 15, 2022. Beginning with an angelic sounding Duruflé’s Requiem, and closing with a stimulating work of Hagen’s The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci, Artistic Director Robert
Continue ReadingPacific Symphony announced yesterday that Pacific Chorale and the American Feel Young Chorus will not be appearing on the Lunar New Year concert program(Feb. 5), although they will be seen on a pre-recorded mosaic video to the traditional Chinese song, “Swan Goose.” The orchestra also announced the postponement of “Cathedrals of Sound” (Feb. 17-19), to
Continue Reading
Pacific Chorale set the mood for many this holiday season with our annual traditional musical extravaganza, Tis the Season! Enjoy some of the highlights, and see you again next year! Photos (c) Doug Gifford Photography
Continue Reading
“It was a masterfully dramatic opening for the Pacific Chorale’s return to the concert platform.” “The return to the Segerstrom Concert Hall platform of the Pacific Chorale under their Artistic Director Robert Istad could not have been more warmly welcomed, and their performance of Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil Op. 37 that was the main item, filling
Continue Reading
679 days since our last live performance, Pacific Chorale took to the stage in an incredible, emotional night many of us won’t soon forget. Thank you to everyone who saw us through this time, and to our audience, we hope it was a magical night for you too! #gratitude #singing #TogetherAgain All photos (c) Doug
Continue Reading
Press Contact: Libby Huebner, libbyhuebner562@gmail.com, 562.799.6055 PACIFIC CHORALE, LED BY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ROBERT ISTAD, ANNOUNCES 2021-2022 SEASON WITH RETURN TO IN-PERSON, INDOOR PERFORMANCES SLATED TO BEGIN IN OCTOBER, AT RENÉE AND HENRY SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Highlights of 54th Season, Spotlighting Contemporary Composers, Include: Two Tarik O’Regan World Premieres Bookending Season; West Coast Premieres
Continue Reading
After a 17-month “fermata,” Pacific Chorale finally returned to the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall stage to film Bach’s Jesu, meine Freude for The Wayfaring Project… and it was glorious to be back making music with our friends from Pacific Symphony again! Kudos to Arts Laureate for your superstar audio and video production expertise.
Continue Reading