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LOS ANGELES CHILDREN’S CHORUS 2008-09 SEASON, ENTITLED “THE POET SINGS,” EXPLORES MUSIC SET TO TEXTS BY SOME OF WORLD’S MOST CELEBRATED WRITERS

Formation of “First Experiences in Singing,” a New Program for Six- and Seven-Year Olds, Announced

Second LACC Documentary, Sing Opera! by Award-Winning Filmmakers, Released

Chorus to Reprise Paul Gibson’s Suite: Alice Through a Looking-Glass for Performance with
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and also Appears in Two LA Opera Productions as well as with
Los Angeles Philharmonic and in Special Community Outreach Program at 
Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

(PASADENA, CA) November 3, 2008 –The Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC), widely considered one of the nation’s preeminent children’s choirs and noted for its agile bel canto singing style, announces the details of its 23rd season, entitled “The Poet Sings,” which focuses on the exploration of music inspired by some of the world’s most celebrated literary figures.  Season highlights include the choir’s popular annual Winter and Spring concerts, as well as appearances in LA Opera’s productions of Bizet’s Carmen and Mozart’s The Magic Flute.  In addition, the chorus reprises Paul Gibson’s whimsical Suite: Alice Through the Looking Glass for a special concert with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra for the orchestra’s acclaimed family concert series, and also appears at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts as part of its community outreach programming.  The choir opened the 2008-09 season with two acclaimed performances of Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 8 with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the baton of Esa-Pekka Salonen at the Hollywood Bowl in September 2008 and at the 36th Annual Peninsula Music Fair in October 2008.  LACC Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson begins her 13th season at the choir’s helm.

Building upon its mission to provide comprehensive music education for children from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds, LACC announces the formation of “First Experiences in Singing,” a new program designed specifically for six- and seven-year-old children.  “There has long been interest from the public in having LACC provide instruction and guidance to younger singers, a need which we are now able to fulfill,” said LACC Executive Director Rachel Fine.  ”’First Experiences in Singing’ is a non-auditioned, non-performing class that will introduce young children to the wonder and excitement of singing and music.”  The new class assists budding singers with vocal and musical skill development, exposing them to general music and rhythmic concepts, and introducing them to bel canto singing, the vocal style for which LACC is noted.  The first eight-week session, which began in October 2008, was filled just days after sign ups began.  To meet growing demand, LACC will offer two sections of “First Experiences in Singing” in Spring 2009.

Fine also notes that Sing Opera!, a second short documentary film about LACC, was recently released.  Produced and directed by award-winning filmmakers Jessica Sanders and Frieda Lee Mock, the film chronicles the making of the world-premiere opera Keepers of the Night, an opera by composer Peter Ash and librettist Donald Sturrock.  The new film follows on the heels of the Academy Award-nominated film Sing!, also produced by Sanders and Mock, which follows a year in the life of the choir.

UPCOMING PERFORMANCE/EVENT DETAILS
Continuing its long and fruitful relationship with LA Opera, LACC appears in the opera company’s production of Bizet’s beloved Carmen, conducted by Emmanuel Villaume on November 15, 19, 22, 30 and December 3, 6, 7, 9 and 14, 2008 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Emilio Sagi directs this masterpiece of the lyric theatre.

LACC presents its popular annual Winter Concert on Sunday, December 7 and Sunday, December 14, 2008, at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.  The program features an eclectic range of classical, folk and contemporary works by such composers as Aaron Copland, Pablo Casals, Cécile Chaminade, Randall Thompson and J.S. Bach inspired by such literary luminaries as Robert Frost and William Shakespeare.

The Friends of Arts Education at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all the children in the community experience the power and beauty of the performing arts.

On Saturday, February, 28, 2009, LACC hosts a one-day Treble Choir Conductor’s Forum, led by guest conductor Emily Elsworth, artistic director of the renowned chorus ANIMA – Young Singers of Greater Chicago.  Elsworth, who, in conjunction with LACC’s visionary artistic staff, presents a master class, break-out sessions and rehearsal observation with LACC members, providing attendees the opportunity to hone conducting techniques, expand repertoire and interact with colleagues.

LACC joins forces with the famed Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra for the orchestra’s widely regarded family concert series, designed to introduce young people to classical music, on Sunday, May 3, 2009, at the Alex Theatre in Glendale.  For this special program, LACC reprises composer Paul Gibson’s acclaimed Suite: Alice Through a Looking-Glass, written for chamber orchestra and choir with lyrics from Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland.  The three-movement work was originally commissioned and premiered by the choir in May 2000 in honor of LACC’s 15th Anniversary.

Six days later, on Sunday, May 9, 2009, LACC presents its annual Spring Concert at Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles.  This marks the first time the choir has produced its own concert at the noted venue.  Gibson’s Suite: Alice Through a Looking-Glass is also the centerpiece of this program and will feature a different chamber ensemble.

Open auditions for boys and girls ages 8 to 12 take place May 28, 29, 30 and 31, 2009 at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.  No prior singing or choral experience is required.  

Capping the season is the choir’s annual fundraising benefit, slated for Saturday, June 6, 2009 at the historic Maxwell house in Pasadena.  The springtime tradition features exquisite wines and fare as well as a performance by LACC choristers.  Proceeds benefit LACC’s core program of unparalleled choral music education and performance.

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