Chorus Information

 

Occidental Community Choir

Daniel Canosa, Director

Information last updated: 2017-03-02
Status: Current

Basic Information

Description: This is a volunteer community chorus, open to the general public.
Web Address: http://www.occidentalchoir.org/
Year Estab: 1978
Mission: Celebration of community spirit, creating music together, performing uplifting music. The OCC composes and perfoms its own music, as well as some challenging choral repertoire.
Emphasis: Pieces written by members--all styles.
Size: Around 40
Concerts/Year: 15
Skills Required : You should be able to sing scales and exercises in tune, sight read, and blend.
Auditions: Yes, usually held the second or third Wednesday in June, in Occidental. Auditions require a prepared piece, demonstration of vocal range and intonation. Auditioner sings a short piece in a quartet with Committee Members.
Dues: $150 per year
Dress: Solid color top, blackpants or skirt
Rehearsals: Wednesday (occasional Monday before concert), 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., St. Philip's Church, Bohemian Highway, Occidental

Categories

Type of Music: Classical
Church/Sacred
Contemporary
Christmas
Type of Chorus: Mixed Adult
Rehearse City: Occidental
Audition Req'd: Y

Chorus Contact Information

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 691, Occidental, 95465
Phone: 707-547-0204
Email: wk@dejavuvideography.com

Other Information

Related Groups: Not at this time, but they are in the formative stage
Discography:

Tapes for sale to public since 1987 of our spring concerts. Most recent: Lost and Found, 1995 and Signs, 1996. Holiday compact disk and audiocassette Light Against the Darkness has songs for Christmas, Chanukah, and Winter Solstice.

Bibliography:

There have been reviews in the local papers.

History:

On Christmas eve in 1978 people drove from their homes in the hills surrounding Occidental, California and gathered in the center of town around a campfire to sing carols. We didn't want to go home, so we started a choir. Since 1978, we've grown into a choir of singers and composers, writing and performing our own music. Our writing styles range from fugues and folk to madrigals and classical, from reverent to irreverent and everything in-between. Described affectionately by the media as heartfelt, irreverent and quirky ", we generally perform two concert series a year of our original music. Subject matter can range from raccoons, Ford automobiles and therapy, to the cosmos and love. The Occidental Community Choir has been fortunate to have had talented leadership throughout the years. In the beginning, Philip Rolnick was the director. Alaudin Mathieu took the helm for 10 years and led us on several adventures to San Francisco to join in exciting performances at Grace Cathedral and Davies Symphony Hall with Paul Winter and his Consort. Mr. Mathieu encouraged the composing process among interested choir members. His flamboyant conducting style and superior piano skill and composing inspired a higher level of musicianship. Doug Bowes became our next director, leading us for 16 wonderful years. He refined our ears and voices into a well-oiled, tuned, and blended group. His composing talent was showcased in each and every performance. In 2004, the choir welcomed our current director, Daniel Canosa. Once again we have in our midst, a talented conductor and composer. Mr. Canosa brings vocal training and passion to each rehearsal. His enthusiasm for the music we sing and the people in the group lift us up into a larger sound and a feeling kind of experience. We are a community of singers and composers who also commune as a family. Our lives are touching each other in many ways. The joy we give to our audience enhances the weekly ritual of rehearsing and meeting. It is for us that we sing....and for you! "

Comments: Joining our choir makes a singer part of a very strong extended family. While we continue to improve musically and sing many pieces (composed by us) that are beyond the range of most community choirs, our strength is in supporting each other. We encourage each other to grow in all directions--musically and otherwise. This sounds pretty West Sonoma County, " but it's true! We encourage each other to "go for " solos and instrumental parts that seem challenging, and we delight in hearing our friends succeed in these roles. Our choir is not about personal musical egos! ""