Friends Of Choral Music
OUR STORY
Friends of Choral Music (FCM), doing business as (dba) Southern California Master Chorale (SCMC) and Meritáge Vocal Arts Ensemble, is dedicated to excellence in the performance of outstanding choral literature that engages and enriches our Orange County audiences, and celebrates and fosters the future of the choral arts.
Southern California Master Chorale helps support community choral programs, including funding for music, orchestras, vocalists, venues, school scholarships, and outreach programs. One hundred percent (100%) of the profit from board-sponsored events is used to help keep choral arts viable in our community.
Our journey traces back to the 1980s, when Dr. Sheridan Ball, a passionate musician from Nebraska, ignited the choral program at Cypress College in Cypress, California. Under Dr. Ball’s visionary leadership, the Cypress College choral program flourished, blossoming from a modest seven students in two choirs to over 200 singers across six remarkable ensembles by the mid-’80s. It was during this era that Dr. Ball encountered the enchanting Abend Kammerchor at Long Beach City College, inspiring him to create Cypress College’s chamber ensemble of 36 skilled singers, Camerata, in 1984.
As the Cypress choral programs grew, so did the need for private financial support to supplement public education funding, leading to the formation of Friends of Choral Music (FOCM), a private IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit. FOCM’s tireless efforts developed the creation of the Starlight Carolers, whose festive holiday performances raised substantial funds for the choral program, further enhancing the singers’ musical endeavors. Over the years, the Cypress College choral program’s quality and scope expanded, leading to the formation of the Southern California Master Chorale (SCMC). This skilled ensemble, comprising Cypress College singers, alumni, and Camerata members, embarked on numerous worldwide cultural and educational musical exchanges captivating audiences across Europe, Asia, Oceania and beyond.
When Dr. Ball retired from all conducting, the groups’ musical prowess continued to evolve under the baton of distinguished conductors, including the accomplished Dr. Cristian Grases of USC. Dr. Grases, a world-renowned conductor and composer, broadened FOCM’s appeal and horizons, introducing diverse musical traditions from Latin America and the Caribbean. This commitment to musical diversity extended to collaborations with local high schools, nurturing the next generation of choral enthusiasts.
In 2019, the chorus welcomed Dr. Brian Dehn of Claremont College as their third Artistic Director. Dr. Dehn’s exceptional musical skills, depth of knowledge of all choral music genres, decades of experience and conducting leadership revitalized the ensemble, even amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we look ahead to our 44th season, Southern California Master Chorale invites you to join us on our continuing journey through the world of music. Our legacy of harmony, diversity, education and artistic innovation remain our passion as we share the vibrant tapestry of Southern California’s choral traditions to ever widening appeal.
Mission Statement
The Friends of Choral Music (FCM), doing business as (dba) Southern California Master Chorale (SCMC) and Meritáge Vocal Arts Ensemble, is dedicated to excellence in the performance of outstanding choral literature that engages and enriches our Orange County audiences, and celebrates and fosters the future of the choral arts.
Background Statement
Friends of Choral Music, dba Southern California Master Chorale (SCMC) and Meritáge Vocal Arts Ensemble, was established in 1997 as a nonprofit organization devoted to preserving and fostering the art of choral music within Orange County and around the world. Meritágefulfills its mission by engaging audiences through the performance of choral literature, thus artistically enriching the lives of audience members. Meritáge has worked towards fulfilling its mission through its three core programs: Southern California Master Chorale (SCMC), Meritage Vocal Arts Ensemble and the Starlight Carolers.
Meritáge Vocal Arts Ensemble is Friends of Choral Musics’s premier ensemble. This ensemble is made up of 56 highly skilled, experienced choral musicians from Southern California. Meritáge Vocal Arts Ensemble has been featured at several state and regional conventions of the Choral Conductors Guild. Meritáge Vocal Arts Ensemble has also performed for a variety of music organizations including the American Choral Directors Association, The Symphonians of the Music Center and the Los Angeles Da Camera Society.
The Starlight Carolers is an ensemble made up of 25 singers. Dressed in colorful Victorian costumes with over forty songs of the season, the Starlight Carolers perform for various holiday events within Orange County. All proceeds generated from these caroling engagements help fund the Meritáge choral season.
Throughout its history, Meritáge has promoted young, talented singers with scholarships and other financial support (relief of membership dues, e.g.), as well as experience in performing and recommendations for higher education learning.
Impact Statement
Each year Southern California Master Chorale (SCMC) coordinates four community concerts and two holiday concerts. Two of these concerts are typically large masterworks concerts, which include a full orchestra. Under the direction of Artistic Director Brian Dehn, Southern California Master Chorale (SCMC) partners with local Orange County high school students. Students are given music that they will learn at their high school music program. Students who are part of the partnering program are also be invited to rehearse with Meritáge during the weeks leading up to the performance.
This collaboration provides students with an opportunity to perform with highly skilled musicians. This also grants the students the opportunity to perform music that might be too challenging for a high school choir to attempt on its own. This partnership gives students the unique experience to perform with an orchestra, which is not always possible for high school choirs to coordinate due to funding barriers.
Through this collaboration, Southern California Master Chorale (SCMC) is able to reach younger singers and engage them in the art of choral music. This helps foster a new generation of young musicians. In addition, this partnership also assists Southern California Master Chorale (SCMC) in expanding and growing its younger audience. In reaching out to younger singers, the concerts also draw younger audience members such as other high school students and their parents.
Needs Statement
Music;
Rent for rehearsal space;
Funds to pay contracted orchestra musicians
Geographic Areas Served
Primarily Orange County, from Laguna Beach to Long Beach.
Top Three Populations Served
- Latinos
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ)
- Seniors/Older Adults
Statement from the CEO/Executive Director
The Friends of Choral Music is dedicated to funding choral music throughout Orange County. We are particularly interested in supporting the next generation of choral musicians. Please help us!
Statement from the Board Chair/President
Southern California Master Chorale (SCMC) offers unique benefits to the community. Currently, Southern California Master Chorale (SCMC) is the only Anaheim-based community choir. Currently the city of Anaheim does not have a performing arts center and does not have a designated performing group. Through its concerts, Southern California Master Chorale (SCMC) makes the choral arts accessible to all members of the local community. We also reach out to underserved Orange County high schools whose music programs might not be able to support the kind of concerts we invite them to participate in.
CONTACT
Friends Of Choral Music
752 N Orange St
Orange, CA 92867-6736
Peter J Donovan
president@socalmasterchorale.org
Phone: 9497489652