Pacific Chorale Announces 2021-22 Season

Pacific Chorale Artistic Director Robert Istad and Andrew Brown, President & CEO, today announced the chorus' 2021-2022 Season featuring its return to in-person performances at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, beginning in October, with sweeping programming that builds upon its trailblazing legacy of championing contemporary composers. They will present five transformative programs, bookending the 54th season with two world premieres by Grammy-nominated former Composer-in-Residence Tarik O'Regan, the first, The Stillness Chained, a Pacific Chorale commission set to the poetry of Yone Noguchi.

Each of the five programs includes a range of compelling works by some of the most groundbreaking composers of our time, including the West Coast premieres of Damien Geter's profound Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow, a message of hope refracted through the lens of Bach's musical legacy interwoven with African-American spirituals, featuring celebrated soprano Aundi Marie Moore and Pacific Symphony Principal Cellist Warren Hagerty; and Frank Ticheli's Until Forever Fades Away, a poetic meditation on the elusive nature of time.

Among other vibrant contemporary choral works, Istad conducts Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw's and the swallow, a setting of Psalm 84 inspired by the Syrian refugee crisis, and her playful Music in Common Time for choir and orchestra; Paul Fowler's wordless, hypnotic Calling; and Edie Hill's poignant We Bloomed in Spring, set to the words of St. Teresa of Avila. Pacific Chorale also performs leading Estonian composer Galina Grigorjeva's On Leaving, a contemplation on the soul's release from the mortal body; Spiritus Mundi, Dale Trumbore's hymn of gratitude for the fruits of the earth; Jake Runestad's exuberant setting of Walt Whitman's Proud Music of the Storm; and South Korean composer Hyo-Won Woo's dramatic Me-Na-Ri (Space Music), a work for three choirs and percussion that stretches the boundaries of choral music.

Adding further breadth to the season are three iconic 20th century choral masterworks: Rachmaninoff's evocative a cappella Vespers (All Night Vigil), Op. 37; Martin's Mass for Double Choir, a tour-de-force laced with vocal fireworks; and the choir's first-ever performance of Vaughan Williams' poignant Dona Nobis Pacem, giving voice to the plea, "Grant us peace," and featuring renowned guest artists soprano Liv Redpath and Grammy Award-winning bass-baritone Dashon Burton.

Pacific Chorale's signature holiday programming returns with two performances each of "Carols by Candlelight" - spotlighting timeless repertoire from the Renaissance and beyond, including works by contemporary British composers Bob Chilcott, Patrick Hawes, Cecilia McDowall, and Will Todd - and the beloved family favorite "Tis the Season!," chock-full of festive carols, seasonal delights, and even a visit from Santa Claus. This year, "Tis the Season!" will conclude with the first live performance of Emmy Award-winning composer Gary Fry's new arrangement of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," which Pacific Chorale commissioned and premiered during last season's virtual holiday concert.

"As Pacific Chorale resumes singing in person, I wanted to select works that both recognize the challenges we have all faced in recent times and reflect the diverse repertoire that our singers love to perform and our audiences have come to expect," says Istad. "Composers creating artistic statements right now are deeply connected to our current human experience. I sincerely hope their messages resonate with our singers and audiences in an immediate, powerful way. At its core, Pacific Chorale exists to unite people through choral music, so returning to live performances enhanced by the sparkling acoustics of Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall will, no doubt, be an incredibly joyful experience for all of us on the stage and in the theater."

"We are extremely grateful to the Pacific Chorale's loyal patrons, vital community partners and committed donors for helping the organization transition through the extended closure brought about by the global pandemic," says Brown. "While we made it a top priority to remain artistically connected to our patrons during this challenging time by pivoting to create innovative, digital programming, there is nothing like the visceral aspect of a live performance. We are thrilled to be able to, once again, welcome patrons back inside the concert hall and showcase the Pacific Chorale's artistry in a concert setting."

GUEST APPEARANCES

In addition to presenting its own concert series, the Chorale makes guest appearances on five Pacific Symphony programs this season. They include Handel's Messiah, led by Robert Moody (December 5, 2021), and four presentations under the baton of Carl St.Clair - A Lunar New Year program (February 5, 2022), Cathedrals of Sounds (February 17-19, 2022), Verdi's Otello (April 7,9,12, 2022), and Mozart's Requiem in D Minor (May 19-22, 2022).

COVID PROTOCOLS

Pacific Chorale continues to make the health and safety of its patrons, artists and community its top priority and has adopted the requirement that all audience members attending indoor performances be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In order to be considered fully vaccinated, patrons must confirm that at least 14 days have passed since receiving the second dose of FDA or WHO authorized double-dose vaccines or that at least 14 days have passed since receiving the sole dose of FDA or WHO authorized single-dose vaccines. Audience members may display proof of vaccine on a smartphone or by showing a physical copy of their vaccination card or official vaccination record. Children under 12 and those who are unvaccinated due to a medical or religious reason must provide proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours prior to attending. Rapid or antigen tests will not be accepted. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear masks while inside the concert venue. These safety protocols will be re-assessed on an ongoing basis and may be adjusted as public health circumstances evolve. The Chorale is closely monitoring industry and government guidance regarding the COVID-19 virus, including information supplied by the State of California, California Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Orange County Department of Public Health. For information on Pacific Chorale's most current health and safety protocols, please visit https://www.pacificchorale.org/covid-returning-to-live-performances/.

TICKETS/INFORMATION/PERFORMANCE VENUES

Season tickets are available in packages of 3 to 5 concerts, ranging in price from $67 to $469. Single tickets to individual performances will go on sale on Tuesday, September 7. All Pacific Chorale concerts are presented in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, CA, except for "Carols by Candlelight" and "Songs of the Soul," which are presented in Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach, CA. For tickets and information, visit www.pacificchorale.org or call 714-662-2345.

Photo credit: Drew Kelley

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