Pacific Chorale Celebrates The Holidays With Concerts

December 2018 will see Orange County's Pacific Chorale give voice to the holiday spirit with two contrasting concerts: "Carols by Candlelight" at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach and "Tis the Season!" at Segerstrom Center for the Arts' Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa. The first of the two "Tis the Season!" performances will be followed by the Chorale's annual Holiday Gala fundraising dinner, "Imagine, Inspire, Create," at The Center Club, located just across the Argyros Plaza from the concert hall.

Carols by CandlelightA magical evening of traditional carols and classical Christmas works presented by a chamber choir of Pacific Chorale's professional singers in an intimate candlelit setting.

Date & Time: Saturday, December 1 at 8:00 p.m.Conductor: Robert Istad, Artistic DirectorFeaturing: Members of Pacific Chorale • David Clemensen, piano • Jung-A Lee, organLocation: Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 2046 Mar Vista Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660Tickets: From $25 to $70. Call 714/662-2345 or visit pacificchorale.org

Tis the Season!This popular family holiday extravaganza in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts is a seasonal favorite. Artistic Director Robert Istad leads Pacific Chorale, the Southern California Children's Concert Chorus (Lori Loftus, Founding Artistic Director and Conductor) and the brass and percussion of Pacific Symphony in a concert of traditional carols, holiday favorites, and new surprises, including a visit from Santa Claus.

Dates & Times: Saturday, December 22 at 5:00 p.m. • Sunday, December 23 at 3:00 p.m.Conductor: Robert Istad, Artistic DirectorFeaturing: Pacific Chorale • Members of Pacific Symphony-Carl St.Clair, Music Director • Southern California Children's Concert Chorus-Lori Loftus, Founding DirectorLocation: Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626Tickets: $29 to $140. Call 714/662-2345 (Pacific Chorale) or 714/556-2787 (Segerstrom Center) or visit pacificchorale.org

"Imagine, Inspire, Create" is the theme for Pacific Chorale's 2018 Holiday Gala, continuing the celebration on into the evening following the Saturday performance of "Tis the Season!" Chaired by Susan Lindley, this black tie-optional evening will feature a short-ribs holiday dinner (fish and vegetarian options also available), holiday entertainment, and an auction featuring trips and special experiences.

Date & Time: Saturday, December 22 at 7:30 p.m.Event Chair: Susan LindleyLocation: The Center Club, 650 Town Center Drive, Garden Level, Costa Mesa, CA 92626Tickets: Single tickets are $300 per person. Table sponsorships and syndicated tables are available. Contact Rachel Van Skike at 714/662-2345 for more details.

Dr. Robert Istad has served as Pacific Chorale's Artistic Director since July 1, 2017. He has prepared choruses for many of the world's leading orchestral conductors, and has been featured on a number of recordings including The John Williams Collection on Sony Classical and Nostos: The Homecoming of Music on Yarlung Records. He continues in his role as Professor of Music, Director of Choral Studies, California State University, Fullerton. He is also serving as the President of the California Choral Directors Association and was recently elected to the board of directors of the national choral industry's association, Chorus America.

Pacific Chorale has delighted national and international audiences with concerts of great choral music performed at the highest musical standards since 1968. Under the artistic leadership of Robert Istad, the organization produces a series of concerts each year at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, where it serves as the sole resident choir. The mission of Pacific Chorale is to inspire our community through artistry and innovation in choral music performances and education programs.

Pacific Chorale is recognized for exceptional artistic expression, preserving and performing classical choral music as well as stimulating American-focused programming. Pacific Chorale presents a substantial performance season of its own and is sought regularly to perform with the nation's leading symphonies. Pacific Chorale has infused an Old World art form with California's hallmark innovation and cultural independence, developing innovative new concepts in programming, and expanding the traditional concepts of choral repertoire and performance. The organization boasts over 30 world premieres and has released 14 self-produced recordings.

In addition to its long-standing partnership with Pacific Symphony, with whom Pacific Chorale made its Carnegie Hall debut in April 2018, the Chorale has performed with such renowned American ensembles as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, the National Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, and Musica Angelica.

Pacific Chorale has also toured extensively to more than 19 countries in Europe, South America and Asia, and has collaborated with the London Symphony, the Munich Symphony, L'Orchestre Lamoureux and L'Orchestre de St-Louis-en-l'Île of Paris, the National Orchestra of Belgium, the China National Symphony, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, the Estonian National Symphony, and the Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional of Argentina.

Pacific Chorale also places a significant emphasis on choral music education, offering grades 1-6 after-school programs, a high school student summer camp, and a community-wide singing event at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.