In 1968, when the very first audition call went out for the group that would come to be known as Pacific Chorale, conductor Maurice Allard nervously stated, “If 35 show up for auditions, I’ll take all 35.” His nerves must have been calmed when 116 people turned out, affirming Orange County’s love of choral singing!
Today more than 200 singers, both staff and volunteer, make up Pacific Chorale’s performing roster. Hailing from all walks of life, these talented and dedicated individuals unite over their shared love of choral music. To be a member of the Chorale, they must pass a rigorous audition and commit to an intense rehearsal and performance schedule–which they do with aplomb!
We recently asked some of our singers to share with us what being in Pacific Chorale has meant to them. Here is what they told us:
In 1968, when the very first audition call went out for the group that would come to be known as Pacific Chorale, conductor Maurice Allard nervously stated, “If 35 show up for auditions, I’ll take all 35.” His nerves must have been calmed when 116 people turned out, affirming Orange County’s love of choral singing!
Today more than 200 singers, both staff and volunteer, make up Pacific Chorale’s performing roster. Hailing from all walks of life, these talented and dedicated individuals unite over their shared love of choral music. To be a member of the Chorale, they must pass a rigorous audition and commit to an intense rehearsal and performance schedule–which they do with aplomb!
We recently asked some of our singers to share with us what being in Pacific Chorale has meant to them. Here is what they told us:
John Alexander is one of America’s most respected choral conductors. His inspired leadership both on the podium and as an advocate for the advancement of the choral art has garnered national and international admiration and acclaim.
Alexander’s long and distinguished conducting career has encompassed hundreds of choral and orchestral performances nationally and in 27 countries around the globe. He has conducted his singers with orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, the former Soviet Union and South America and, within his own Southern California community, with Pacific Symphony, Pasadena Symphony, Musica Angelica and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Alexander is equally proficient behind the scenes, having prepared choruses for many of the world’s most outstanding orchestral conductors, including Zubin Mehta, Pierre Boulez, Seiji Ozawa, Michael Tilson Thomas, Leonard Slatkin, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Gustavo Dudamel, Lukas Foss, Max Rudolf, Carl St.Clair, Gerard Schwarz, Marin Alsop, John Mauceri, John Williams, and Keith Lockhart.
Alexander is the Artistic Director Emeritus of Pacific Chorale, having served as Artistic Director and Conductor from 1972 to 2017. Under his direction, the organization grew to become one of the foremost symphonic choirs in the nation, enjoying thirteen international tours throughout Europe, Asia, and South America; establishing productive artistic partnerships with Pacific Symphony and Segerstrom Center for the Arts; performing dozens of world and United States premieres; and releasing numerous recordings.
ROBERT ISTAD, a Grammy Award-winning conductor 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, including the 2020 Grammy Award-winning “Mahler’s Eighth Symphony” with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gustavo Dudamel on Deutsche Grammophon (2021), for which he prepared the chorus. It won Best Choral Performance and also garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Engineered Album, Classical. Additionally, Istad conducted the Pacific Chorale’s recording “All Things Common: The Music of Tarik O’Regan” released on Yarlung Records (2020). Istad has 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, 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.
In 1968, when the very first audition call went out for the group that would come to be known as Pacific Chorale, conductor Maurice Allard nervously stated, “If 35 show up for auditions, I’ll take all 35.” His nerves must have been calmed when 116 people turned out, affirming Orange County’s love of choral singing!
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In 1968, when the very first audition call went out for the group that would come to be known as Pacific Chorale, conductor Maurice Allard nervously stated, “If 35 show up for auditions, I’ll take all 35.” His nerves must have been calmed when 116 people turned out, affirming Orange County’s love of choral singing!
Continue Reading
John Alexander is one of America’s most respected choral conductors. His inspired leadership both on the podium and as an advocate for the advancement of the choral art has garnered national and international admiration and acclaim. Alexander’s long and distinguished conducting career has encompassed hundreds of choral and orchestral performances nationally and in 27 countries
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ROBERT ISTAD, a Grammy Award-winning conductor 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
Continue Reading