Supports the Society's masterworks concert program

Huntington Beach, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/09/2010 -- The Orange County Choral Society, formerly the Orange County Catholic Chorale, will hold its 4th Annual Silent Auction Fundraiser featuring a night of Jazz, food, and great shopping bargains on March 27, 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm at the Center at Founders Village, 17967 Bushard St., Fountain Valley. Tickets are $25 per person and are available at the door. Proceeds from the auction will help defray expenses for the group's May 15th masterworks concert. This year's performance will feature Brahms' Ein deutches Requiem with full orchestra at Red Hill Lutheran Church of Tustin. The Orange County Choral Society is a non-profit, 501(c)3 performing arts organization dedicated to promoting appreciation and knowledge of choral music through the performance of masterworks concerts and events for the local community. Visit www.OCChoralSociety.org for more information or a partial listing of auction items. Auction item categories include: art, antiques and collectibles; gift certificates and gift baskets; health and beauty; home and garden; jewerly and watches; and everything else!

About The Orange County Choral Society
Founded in 2002, Orange County Choral Society (formerly the Orange County Catholic Chorale) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit performing arts choral organization promoting excellence in the choral arts with emphasis on programming masterworks concerts for the community. The group will celebrate its 8th season in 2010 and is currently comprised of about 60 mixed voices. Performing a broad spectrum of choral masterworks music, the group's past repertoire has featured Requiems by Mozart, Durufle, and Wilberg; Masses by Haydn, Beethoven and Mozart; and cantatas such as Vaughan Williams? Dona Nobis Pacem and Lauridsen?s Lux Aeterna,among others. In 2010, the Chorale will initiate its first Magnum Opus Choral Composition Competition for today?s gifted composers and perform the winning selection at its annual Stars and Stripes Forever patriotic concert in July. To learn more about the ensemble or audition requirements, visit the group?s website at: http://www.OCChoralSociety.org

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Local Orange County chorus changes name and announces upcoming 2010 season.

Huntington Beach, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/21/2010 -- The Orange County Catholic Chorale, a masterworks chorus formed in 2002, is changing its name effective with its 2010 season to the Orange County Choral Society. According to Ken Keller, board president, the name change is designed to allow for more diverse musical genre programs and, also, to not infer any specific "affiliation."

"Like many choirs, we have had to take stock of our present formation and move on with what is best for the future growth of the organization," said Keller. "At the time it was formed, OCCC consisted almost exclusively of members from local Catholic parish choirs. Although we are a non-denominational organization and have always welcomed members from other faith communities, the name 'Catholic' could be seen by many as being 'too specific' and limiting." The new name, added Keller, still allows us to continue the organization's mission of "promoting an appreciation of choral music in Orange County by providing an accessible and professional classical music experience that enriches the cultural life of the community."

Christopher Gravis, the group's newly appointed Artistic Director, adds "We are very excited about implementing new strategies for the ensemble as we make it more visible in the community with a new diverse membership drive and programs to increase awareness, involvement and support from the corporate sector."

The 2010 season will begin March 27th with a Silent Auction fundraiser and evening of jazz, wine, food and great bargains. The May 15th concert will feature Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem followed July 3rd by the annual free Stars and Stripes Forever Concert. The final event of the season will be an All Souls Day Remembrance program featuring Faure's Requiem.

An orientation night for new, returning members and individuals just seeking more information about the group will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 26th from 7:30 to 9:00 PM at The Center at Founders Village, 17967 Bushard St., Fountain Valley 92708. Rehearsals will begin in February. All interested singers are encouraged to learn more about the organization and its upcoming season. Additional information about the Orange County Choral Society is available at the current website: http://www.OCCatholicChorale.org .

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The new director will assume the role in January, conducting rehearsals and concerts as well as directing event programming.

Huntington Beach, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/12/2009 -- The Board of Directors of Orange County Catholic Chorale has named Christopher Gravis as its new Artistic Director for the upcoming 2010 season. He will assume the role in January, conducting rehearsals and concerts as well as directing event programming, fundraising and long-term strategic planning. "I am tremendously impressed with the Board's professionalism and the dedication of Chorale members," said Gravis. "They obviously have a passion for their music, mission and the community they serve. I am excited to have been selected to help advance their musical and artistic growth," he added. Ken Keller, board president, noted, "We are confident that Christopher's, experience, enthusiasm, leadership and exciting vision are a perfect fit for our organization, and we believe he is the right person to take us to the 'next level' of choral accomplishment."

Gravis studied with John Alexander of the Pacific Chorale, and has assisted in preparing professional and volunteer choruses for other notable conductors such as John Williams and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops, and John Mauceri with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. He is a recipient of numerous honors and awards including: membership in Pi Kappa Lamda; recipient of the Eliot Alexander Memorial Scholarship Award presented by the Pacific Chorale, and being named a Chorus America Conducting Fellow at the College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. Gravis currently serves as the music director, First Presbyterian Church, Fullerton, and is also a board member of "Scores for Good," a nonprofit organization that specializes in publishing the new works of choral composers. He has studied cathedral music Salzburg, Austria, and earned his Bachelor of Music from the University of Redlands, and his Master of Music in choral conducting from California State University at Fullerton. Gravis is currently studying and teaching at the University of Southern California, Thornton School of Music where he is pursuing his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in choral music.

Founded in 2002, Orange County Catholic Chorale, Inc., is a non-denominational, community-based, 501(c) 3 nonprofit performing arts choral organization, promoting excellence in the choral arts with emphasis on programming masterworks concerts for the community. The group will celebrate its 8th season in 2010 and is currently comprised of about 60 mixed volunteer voices. Performing a broad spectrum of choral masterworks music, the Chorale's past repertoire has featured Requiems by Mozart, Durufle, and Wilberg; Masses by Haydn, Beethoven and Mozart; and cantatas such as Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem and Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna, among others. In 2010, the Chorale will initiate its first Magnum Opus Choral Composition Competition for today's gifted composers and perform the winning selection at its annual Stars and Stripes Forever patriotic concert in July. For more information about the Chorale or to inquire about membership, visit the group's website at: http://www.OCCatholicChorale.org.

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Cash prizes and winning composition to be performed in concert

Huntington Beach, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/27/2009 -- The Orange County Catholic Chorale, Inc., a 501( c ) 3 nonprofit performing arts organization in Southern California, has launched its first annual choral composition competition. Called Magnum Opus, the competition runs from November 1, 2009 to April 15, 2010, during which period entrants may submit an adaptation of an American folk song or hymn or an original piece on an American theme -- either as an a cappella piece or with accompaniment. Accompaniment can be any of the following: a cappella choir, or choir with organ, piano, solo instrument or wind ensemble (flute, clarinet, trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba, percussion), or any combination thereof. The competition was made possible by a generous grant from the Robert J & Doreen D. Marshall Fund for Dramatic Arts and Classical Music of the Orange County Community Foundation.

One Grand Prize winner will receive $1,000 in cash, and will have his/her work debuted July 3, 2010 at the Chorale's Annual Stars and Stripes Concert in Orange County. A $500 Honorable Mention award will also be given. Compositions will be judged by a panel of judges from various walks of musical life including choral and orchestral conductors, orchestral composers, music educators and others with extensive choral experience. For complete Magnum Opus entry information and submission form, visit http://www.occatholicchorale.org.

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