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Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC), one of the nation’s leading children’s choirs, is holding auditions for boys and girls ages eight (by September 1, 2013) to 12 on June 6 -9, 2013, in Pasadena. Previous singing experience is not necessary, but audition appointments are required.

LACC’s program focuses on training children who may not necessarily have had previous singing experience, but who are dedicated to achieving excellence in vocal technique, choral singing and classical music. Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to match pitch, follow instructions, and thrive in a structured, but supportive learning environment. Children audition in groups of five to ensure their comfort, and no preparation is necessary.

Under the artistic direction of Anne Tomlinson, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, currently in its 27th season, provides a comprehensive music education and performance program for children of diverse cultural and economic backgrounds in Los Angeles County. LACC is comprised of six choirs with choristers ranging in age from 8 to 18 who hail from 60 communities throughout Southern California. (Younger singers are encouraged to enroll in LACC’s classes for six- and seven-year-olds, First Experiences in Singing, offered in Pasadena.)

Rehearsals for entry-level choirs are once a week at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. In addition, all children take musicianship classes (a six level curriculum) and receive individual vocal training. They receive mid- and end-of-year evaluations as well. Repertoire is selected to fit each choir’s skill level and focuses on classical works, but also encompasses folk music from around the world, spirituals, gospel songs and jazz, as well as new music

High-profile performance opportunities are an important and integral part of the program and include two culminating choral concerts each year, plus performances at major civic events. LACC’s premier choirs perform with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, LA Opera, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, among other prestigious music presenters. The choir was also featured in the Academy Award-nominated documentary film, “SING!” which chronicles a year in the life of the choir and is shown periodically on PBS stations nationwide, as well as follow-up documentaries “SING OPERA!” and “SING CHINA!” In addition, LACC tours locally, nationally and internationally.

Auditions will be held at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, located at 585 East Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California 91101. For more information or to make an audition appointment, please call (626) 793-4231 or visit www.lachildrenschorus.org.

Los Angeles Children’s Chorus

The Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, considered one of the world’s leading children’s choirs, spotlights the music of Benjamin Britten at two performances of its annual Spring Concert on two consecutive Sundays, May 5 and 12 (Mother’s Day), 2013, 7 pm, at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. The renowned chorus, led by Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson, performs selected works from Britten’s Friday Afternoons, which Britten composed for school children, as well as various titles from his folk song arrangements, and selected movements from Ceremony of Carols, written for treble voices, solo voices and harp, and Missa Brevis, a beautiful work noted for its poignant plea for peace, which also illustrates Britten’s considerable skill at writing for children’s voices. The program is part of Britten 100/LA: A Celebration, a year-long festival honoring the 2013 centenary of the British composer curated by LA Opera.

Other featured works include Herbert Howells’ My Eyes for Beauty Pine, a piece in which Britten found inspiration, Handel’s aria Non lo diro from his early opera Tolomeo, two-time Oscar-winner Richard Sherman’s Hushabye Mountain from the film “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and an arrangement of To Music by LACC Associate Artistic Director Mandy Brigham. Also on the program are Jean-Baptiste Lully’s rarely heard French Baroque piece Regina coeli, Sir David Willcocks’ Psalm 150, Canadian composer Surl Glick’s Psalm 23, Schubert’s compelling art song Du bist die Ruh, and the haunting Celtic folksong Óró Mo Bháidin. In addition, LACC presents Come Let’s Be Merry by American composer James Mulholland, William Brown’s Puisque tout passé, set to a poem by Rilke and featuring percussionist Robert Fernandez, the Newfoundland folksong The Star of Belle Isle, and the spirituals Ain’-a that Good News, My Lord What a Morning and The Storm is Passing Over.

Tomlinson conducts the chorus’ renowned Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. Brigham leads the Intermediate Choir, Diana Landis leads the Apprentice Choir, and Dr. Steve Kronauer conducts the Young Men’s Ensemble. The choirs will perform separately and combined.

Tickets are $26, $38 and $44; children 17 and under are half price. For tickets and information, please call (626) 793-4231 or visit www.lachildrenschorus.org. Pasadena Presbyterian Church is located at 585 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101.

Los Angeles Children’s Chorus

Music Director Jeffrey Kahane serves as musical “tour guide” for Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s annual “Discover” concert on Saturday, February 25, 2012, 8 pm, at Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, which this season features a special one-night-only exploration of Bach’s Magnificat, a pinnacle of choral literature. Performing with the Orchestra are The University of Southern California Thornton Chamber Singers, the school’s premier choir, directed by Jo-Michael Scheibe, and five exceptional young soloists: Charlotte Dobbs, soprano, Zanaida Robles, soprano, Janelle DeStefano, mezzo soprano, Ben Bliss, tenor, and Daniel Armstrong, baritone. Providing the audience with a deeper understanding and appreciation of this seminal masterwork, Kahane begins the evening by illustrating the intricacies of Bach’s first oratorio and how the composition illuminates the text, which is taken directly from the Gospel of Luke. After intermission, the Orchestra, soloists and chorus perform the full work. The purpose of the discussion component for the annual “Discover” concert is to help audiences hear major works with new “ears.”

Bach’s Magnificat also holds special meaning for Kahane, who is currently celebrating his 15th annviersary with LACO, since it is one of the pieces that initially drew him to a conducting career. In addition, the concert highlights LACO’s ongoing commitment to collaborate with LA-based cultural institutions by featuring rising singers from LA Opera Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program as well as the talented chorus of the USC Thornton School of Music, both among the nation’s top training programs for musical artists.

Tickets ($25-$110) are on sale now and may be purchased online at laco.org, by calling LACO at 213 622 7001, or at the venue box office on the night of the concert, if tickets remain. Student rush tickets ($10), based on availability, may be purchased at the box office the day of the concert.

8pm January 14th, 2012 at the Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena.

The Music of: Messiaen, Haydn, Charlie Parker, Brian Ferneyhough and Andrew Bird.