Charlie Zhang Named to Pacific Chorale Board

The Board of Directors of Pacific Chorale, the resident choir of Segerstrom Center for the Arts, has unanimously elected philanthropist and business entrepreneur Charles (Charlie) Zhang to its Board of Directors.

The creator of Pick Up Stix (a chain he sold in 2001) and current President of Laguna Niguel-based Zion Enterprises (a real estate and development company) has long been a classical music enthusiast. After hearing Pacific Chorale perform with Pacific Symphony Orchestra last year, Zhang became an immediate fan, saying, "We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful asset in our community. Everyone should know about them!"

Pacific Chorale Board Chair (and long-time Chorale singer) Mary Lyons, is an admirer of what Charlie Zhang has done in Orange County, saying, "Charlie's vision in creating the OC School of Music and Dance for children has been a real shot in the arm to our arts community. The fact that the building where the school is housed is also home to Pacific Symphony Orchestra and Arts OC means that he has created a wonderful hub for the arts." Lyons added, "We are thrilled he is not only supporting Pacific Symphony Orchestra and the Bowers Museum, but also our internationally-acclaimed choir, too!"

ABOUT PACIFIC CHORALE

Pacific Chorale (PC) has delighted national and international audiences with concerts of great choral music performed at the highest musical standards since 1968. 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 enrich and educate the community by demonstrating outstanding leadership in the performance, creation and preservation of choral music.

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. Under the inspired guidance of Artistic Director John Alexander, 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, 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 toured extensively to over 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.

A new Artistic Director, Robert Istad, will be taking the podium as conductor beginning with Pacific Chorale's 2017-2018 season, beginning in July 2017.

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