(PASADENA, CA) November 3, 2009 – The renowned Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC), conducted by Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson, explores the works of noted California composers John Adams, Paul Gibson, Brian Holmes, David Conte and others in a special matinee concert – which is part of the LA Phil’s much-heralded “West Coast, Left Coast” music festival – on Saturday, November 14, 2009, 2:00 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica. LACC holds the distinction of being the only children’s choir selected to perform in the orchestra’s pioneering festival.

Los Angeles Times Architecture Critic and pop culture expert Christopher Hawthorne, leads a pre-concert discussion with USC Thornton Musicology Professor Mina Yang, author of California Polyphony, and California composer Paul Gibson, at 1:00 P.M., on the festival’s theme: “California as a sympathetic refuge for creative renegades.”

Tracing musical influences from the old world to the new, to the birth of the Golden State and beyond, the concert features historic and contemporary musical works reflecting the countries that were vital to the development of California.

Among the pieces transported from the “old world,” LACC performs the processional chant Veni, veni Emmanuel, Carillo’s Ave Maria, and the Spanish carol Riu, riu, chiu.

Reflecting other global influences that helped shape the state are the Mexican folksong A la nanita nana, the Chinese folksong Midnight Stars Make Bright the Sky, the French folksong Un Flambeau, Jeanette Isabella.

In the contemporary spectrum, LACC performs Rhode Island native/California transplant Henry Mollicone’s “Lullaby” from A Christmas Celebration, and California composers John Adams’ “A Palm Tree” from El Niño, Brian Holmes’ Pie Jesu, David Conte’s Alleluia and Paul Gibson’s Dona Nobis Pacem/Grant Us Peace.

Tickets are $32; children are half price. First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica is located at 1220 Second Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90401. For tickets and information, please call (626) 793-4231 or visit www.lachildrenschorus.org.

About Los Angeles Children’s Chorus
Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, under Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson, is recognized throughout the country for its exceptional artistic quality and technical ability. It has been described as “astonishingly polished,” “hauntingly beautiful,” “a homogenous blanket of sound that is smooth, silky” and “one heck of a talented group of kids.” Founded in 1986, LACC performs frequently with leading music ensembles including the LA Phil, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Calder Quartet and Pasadena Symphony. LACC also assists Los Angeles Opera by training and providing children for its opera productions that require children’s chorus or child soloists. The chorus’ roster includes more than 350 children from 60 communities across Los Angeles in six choirs and one class for young singers, First Experiences in Singing. LACC’s intensive training program includes weekly or twice weekly rehearsals, individual vocal coaching and comprehensive musicianship classes. LACC has toured Brazil, Great Britain, Italy, Australia, Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland, as well as many parts of the United States and Canada. In 2008, Concert Choir performed at the China International Arts Celebration for Young People during its tour to China prior to the Beijing summer Olympics. Among its numerous accomplishments, LACC produced a commissioned world-premiere opera, Keepers of the Night, by composer Peter Ash and librettist Donald Sturrock in 2007 and appears on "Amore Infinito" ("Infinite Love"), a Deutsche Grammophon CD of songs based on poems by the late Pope John Paul II and performed by Pl·cido Domingo, which was released worldwide in March 2009. LACC is also featured in the Academy Award-nominated documentary, “Sing!” and sequel documentary “Sing Opera!” by award-winning Santa Monica filmmakers Freida Lee Mock and Jessica Sanders. “Sing!” documents a year in the life of the choir and is shown frequently on PBS stations nationwide. “Sing China!,” a third documentary premiering in fall 2009, chronicles the choir’s groundbreaking tour to China. LACC has appeared twice on NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” including, in June 2009, with Grammy Award-winning pop artist John Mayer, and was featured on Public Radio International’s acclaimed nationally syndicated radio show “From the Top,” hosted by acclaimed pianist Christopher O’Riley. On a local outreach level, LACC continues its long-standing commitment to the community by performing frequently in retirement homes, community centers and public schools, and for various civic organizations throughout the year.

About Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson
Anne Tomlinson, appointed artistic director of Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC) in 1995, conducts the Concert Choir and the Chamber Singers and is responsible for the educational and artistic development of LACC. She also serves as Children’s Chorus Mistress for the Los Angeles Opera. During her tenure, she has prepared children for major operatic works including the world premiere of Tobias Picker’s opera Fantastic Mr. Fox based upon the story by Roald Dahl, and has worked with Placido Domingo, Andrew Litton, and Julius Rudel, among other renowned conductors. She has prepared children’s choirs for Esa-Pekka Salonen, Gustavo Dudamel, Carlos Rizzi, Maren Alsop in Los Angeles Philharmonic performances of Stravinsky’s Persephone, John Adams’ El Niño, Mahler’s Symphony No. 3, Orff’s Carmina Burana and a fully staged production of Bernstein’s Mass at the Hollywood Bowl, among many others. Los Angeles Master Chorale presentations include Christopher Rouse’s Requiem and Orff’s Carmina Burana with Grant Gershon and Paul Salamunovich. Ms. Tomlinson is a frequent presenter at symposia, workshops and festivals. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and Master’s degree in conducting from Northwestern University where she studied with Margaret Hillis. She received in 2000 the Gold Crown Award for Music Education, given by the Pasadena Arts Council, the 2001 Power of One Award, given by Facing History and Ourselves Foundation, and the 2006 Educator of the Year Award given by the Harvard-Radcliffe Club of Southern California.

CALENDAR LISTING

WHAT:
Los Angeles Children’s Chorus presents music of California composers as part of LA Phil’s “West Coast, Left Coast” Festival

WHO:
Los Angeles Children’s Chorus
Anne Tomlinson, Conductor

DATE/TIME:
Saturday, November 14, 2009, 2:00 PM
(1:00 PM - pre-concert lecture with Los Angeles Times Architecture Critic and pop culture expert Christopher Hawthorne, USC Thornton Musicology Professor Mina Yang and California composer Paul Gibson)

PROGRAM:
From the old world to the new…

Chant Veni, veni Emmanuel (procession)
CARILLO Ave Maria
Spanish Carol Riu, riu chiu

The Birth…

Mexico A la nanita nana
Chinese Midnight Stars Make Bright the Sky
France Un Flambeau, Jeanette Isabella
HENRY MOLLICONE “Lullaby” from A Christmas Celebration

Our Response

DAVID CONTE* Alleluia
BRIAN HOLMES* Pie Jesu
JOHN ADAMS* “A Palm Tree” from El NiÒo
PAUL GIBSON* Dona Nobis Pacem/Grant Us Peace

*denotes California composer

+ OTHER WORKS TO BE ANNOUNCED

LOCATION:
First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica
1220 Second Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

TICKET PRICES:
$32; 1/2 price for children

INFORMATION & TICKETS:
(626) 793-4231
www.lachildrenschorus.org

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11-3-09