Company Profile
San Diego Master Chorale
Company Overview
MISSION
The SD Master Chorale connects all people to the joy of professional-caliber live choral music and enriches lives by sharing what we have in common – our voice.
THE VOICE OF SAN DIEGO
Widely recognized for its exciting, inspiring, and comforting performances, the SD Master Chorale is San Diego’s premier choral ensemble, showcasing more than 100 of the region’s finest singers. The Chorale was founded in 1961, and today continues its artistic ascent under the leadership of Music Director Dr. John K. Russell. The group began as an all-volunteer, community choir, but has now become what Chorus America refers to as a "professional core" choir, with paid singers augmenting these high-level amateurs.
Dedicated to performing the finest choral repertoire, the SD Master Chorale embraces classical masterworks, new music by contemporary composers, film scores, and diverse works of many genres to unite audiences and musicians of all cultures, religions, and generations. Each year the Chorale appeals to thousands of San Diego residents and visitors, and is heard outside the concert hall with the San Diego Symphony via broadcasts on KPBS, San Diego’s NPR station. The Chorale is also a regular participant in the San Diego Symphony’s summer series on the Embarcadero.
The SD Master Chorale frequently collaborates with leading arts organizations and composers including the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra, the La Jolla Music Society, and the La Jolla Symphony Orchestra & Chorus.
Company History
Formed in 1961 as the San Diego Symphonic Chorale, the name of this organization was changed in 1979 to the San Diego Master Chorale, because choral/orchestral masterworks were not all that the group performs.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1980
- SD Master Chorale's first large-scale, self-produced concert (with jazz pianist Dave Brubeck: "La Fiesta de las Posadas").
1986
- By City Council Proclamation, the San Diego Master Chorale is named "The Voice of San Diego."
- 25th Anniversary Concert Tour of England and Scotland.
2001
- SD Master Chorale receives Special Commendation from San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy "in recognition for forty years of artistic enhancement of the community."
2007
- Scott A. Becker Memorial Endowment is established at The San Diego Foundation to benefit the Chorale; initial gift is from Bruce & Pat Becker.
2009
- Won the Chorus America/ASCAP Alice Parker Award for innovative choral programming.
2010
- World premiere of Arturo Rodrigues's arrangement of "Canción Mixteca" by José López Álvarez, dedicated to SD Master Chorale's Amigos en Concierto event celebrating Hispanic music.
- Premier of David Conté's "To Music," commissioned for SD Master Chorale's 50th Anniversary.
2015
- Mainly Mozart Festival annual appearances commence (Michael Francis, conductor).
2016
- SD Master Chorale's first appearance with conductor Edo De Waart (Beethoven's 9th, SD Symphony Orchestra.
2017
- First Annual High School Honor Choir Workshop and Concert.
2018
- SD Master Chorale hosts San Diego hub of LA Master Chorale's "Big Sing," a California-wide virtual live concert.
- SD Master Chorale joins the Voices of our City homeless choir to sing Amazing Grace for the SDSO's Bayside Summer Nights finale.
2019
- In his inaugural month with the SD Symphony Orchestra, Maestro Rafael Payare chooses to conduct SD Master Chorale women in Mendelssohn's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
2021
- First performance for a live audience after 18 months of COVID-19 restrictions (at Cuyamaca College's Water Conservation Garden Amphitheater, El Cajon).
Notable Clients
San Diego Symphony Orchestra, Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra, La Jolla Music Society
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
Winner of the 2009 Chorus America/ASCAP Alice Parker Award for innovative choral programming.