On December 11 and 18, the California Desert Chorale closed its winter season with a finale performance of the “Holiday Singin’ & Swingin” live concert. Led by Artistic Director Tim Bruneau and Principal Accompanist Bruce Magnum, the choral program featured classical pieces and holiday favorites.
The concert took place at 3 PM at the Hope Lutheran Church in Palm Desert. The California Desert Chorale live choral concert included festive and fun performances of “A Doo Wop Christmas” by Kirby Shaw; “Swing into Christmas” by J. Garland W. Kent & J. Livingston, arranged by Mac Huff; “The Chanukah Song (We Are Lights)” by Stephen Schwarts, arranged by Nowlin; and many more.
Special features of the performance included 32 choristers arranged by soprano, alto, tenor, and bass; 11 Instrumentalists with chamber orchestra including violins, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, harp, trumpets, and percussion; and an audience sing-along portion with a medley of holiday favorites including “Deck The Halls;” “Joy to the World;” “We Wish you A Merry Christmas;” and more. Lyrics were provided along with holiday concert translations.
The California Desert Chorale exists to bring joy to singers and audiences alike by providing a wide variety of choral and other inspiring vocal musical performances. The California Desert Chorale will hold the 2023 Scholarship competition, beginning on Saturday, January 28, at 1 pm with a public voice class for all participants. A high degree of personal commitment is required for members to meet the California Desert Chorale’s standards. The Chorale has Monday night rehearsals from September through April; periodic Saturday morning rehearsals; very busy concert week schedules, and occasional community service performances. A substantial portion of the group’s concert repertoire is sung from memory. Therefore, significant individual effort is required between rehearsals. Membership auditions occur prior to the Chorale’s concert season and intermittently during the season, at the discretion of the Artistic Director. All those interested in Chorale membership must perform an individual audition with the Artistic Director prior to acceptance. Current members may be required to re-audition at any point if the Artistic Director perceives the need.
Each auditioning singer must perform a memorized solo work from the classical, folk song, musical theater, American standard or sacred music repertoire. Typical audition material includes operatic arias, art songs, and ballads by George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, etc. The musical selection one chooses to use for the audition should readily reflect good breath support, consistent tone quality, accurate tuning, and interpretive skill. Those auditioning must also provide printed sheet music for their audition song.
Each auditioning singer will be asked to discuss his or her prior experience as both a choral and solo singer. Some auditioning singers may be required to work privately on specific technical and interpretive skills as a qualification of their membership, at the discretion of the Artistic Director.
The California Desert Chorale is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. The California Desert Chorale is composed of both professional and amateur singers who bring a wide variety of choral and solo experience to the ensemble. For more information on how to support and be involved with the chorale, call (760) 346-4933.