LA Master Chorale's High School Choir Festival to Return for 37th Year at Walt Disney Concert Hall

More than 1,200 high school singers from across Southern California will fill Walt Disney Concert Hall on Friday, May 1, 2026, as the Los Angeles Master Chorale presents its 37th Annual High School Choir Festival-the longest-running event of its kind in the United States. Representing 41 schools*, this record-breaking ensemble will perform as one mass choir under the direction of Grant Gershon, the Chorale's Kiki & David Gindler Artistic Director, and Cindy Ellis, Danner Family Guest Artist. Together, they will transform the late architect Frank Gehry's iconic venue into a powerful celebration of music education and community connection. The students will pay a very special, visual tribute to the legendary designer of this architectural masterpiece.

Since 1989, the High School Choir Festival has served as a cornerstone of arts education in Southern California, engaging more than 34,000 students in a rigorous, year-long musical journey culminating in this singular annual performance.

This year's Festival features internationally recognized conductor and educator Cindy Ellis as The Danner Family Guest Artist.

A Cuban American choral director and jazz vocalist, Ellis leads award-winning ensembles at Miami Arts Studio whose credits include Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, BBC Proms London Festival, NBC's Saturday Night Live, and collaborations with global artists such as Gloria Estefan and Jacob Collier. A 2025 Teacher of the Year and multi-GRAMMY Music Educator semifinalist, Ellis brings elite-level artistry and mentorship directly to the next generation of performers.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

• 1,200+ student singers performing together-the largest in Festival history at Disney Hall

• 41 Southern California high schools represented*

• Livestream on INSTAGRAM at 1:00 PM PDT Friday, May 1, 2026

• Special performance by 16 Master Chorale singers conducted by Jenny Wong, Master Chorale

Associate Artistic Director

• Live demonstration of the Concert Hall's world-famous organ by John West

• Repertoire spanning classical masterworks to contemporary global music

2026 FESTIVAL PROGRAM

Conducted by:
Grant Gershon, Artistic Director
Cindy Ellis, The Danner Family Guest Artist

• Your Voices Tune and Raise Them High (from Alexander's Feast) - G. F. Handel

• Because You Sang - Arianne Abela

• Journey Home - Abbie Betinis

• Cielito Lindo - Quirino Mendoza y Cortés, arr. by Julio Morales

• Walk in Jerusalem - arr. Rollo Dilworth