New Choral Music Is Focus of Pacific Chorale’s 2021-22 Season in Costa Mesa

Pacific Chorale, led by Artistic Director Robert Istad and Andrew Brown, President & CEO, presents sweeping programming during its 2021-2022 Season that builds upon its trailblazing legacy of championing contemporary composers. The “A-list ensemble” (Los Angeles Times) acclaimed for its “polish, poise and tonal splendor” (Orange County Register) presents five transformative programs, bookending the 54^th season with two world premieres by Grammy-nominated former Composer-in-Residence Tarik O’Regan. Pacific Chorale is the resident choir at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, in Costa Mesa, CA.

Each of the five programs this season, launching October 30, 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 Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow, featuring celebrated soprano Aundi Marie Moore and Pacific Symphony Principal Cellist Warren Hagerty; and Frank Ticheli’s Until Forever Fades Away. Istad also conducts Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw’s and the swallow, and Music in Common Time; Paul Fowler’s hypnotic Calling; and Edie Hill’s poignant We Bloomed in Spring. Additionally, Pacific Chorale performs Estonian composer Galina Grigorjeva’s On Leaving; Spiritus Mundi by Dale Trumbore; 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).

Adding further breadth to the season are three iconic 20^th century choral masterworks: Rachmaninoff’s a cappella Vespers (All Night Vigil), Op. 37; Martin’s Mass for Double Choir; and the choir’s first-ever performance of Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, featuring renowned guest artists soprano Liv Redpath and bass-baritone Dashon Burton. Pacific Chorale presents two holiday programs as well.

“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.”

“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.”

Pacific Chorale has adopted the requirement that all audience members attending indoor performances be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and wear masks while inside the concert venue.

For full season details, visit www.pacificchorale.org or call 714-662-2345.