Chorus Information

 

Sacramento Master Singers

Ralph Hughes, Director

Information last updated: 2008-06-01
Status: Current

Basic Information

Description: This is a community chorus, open to the general public with a successful audition.
Web Address: http://www.mastersingers.org
Year Estab: 1982
Mission: To provide a performing ensemble for dedicated choral singers, and to strongly encourage community choral activities through strong links with area schools.
Emphasis: Small works leaning towards modern American choral music; medium length major works appropriate for chamber choirs.
Size: 36-40
Concerts/Year: 4 or 5 preparations, with 8-9 concerts total.
Auditions: Yes, usually held in summer at a location to be announced. Auditions require 3 sightreading examples and a solo.
Dues: No
Dress: Men: black tuxedo; Women: full length custom-designed dress
Rehearsals: Monday, 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, Sierra Boulevard, Sacramento

Categories

Type of Music: Classical
Church/Sacred
Contemporary
Early Music
 Type of Chorus: Mixed Adult
Rehearse City: Sacramento
Region: Sacramento Valley South
Audition Req'd: Y

Chorus Contact Information

Mailing Address: PO Box 417997, Sacramento, 95841
Phone: (916) 788-7464

Other Information

Related Groups: No formal groups; smaller groupings on an ad hoc basis
Discography: Follow the Sun (multicultural folksongs). OCR-103. Obesa Cantavit Records. 1995. Compact disk. Audiocassette. How Still He Rests. (holiday) OCR-102. Obesa Cantavit Records. 1994. Compact disk. Audiocassette. The Magnificat (Magnificat and other Rutter choral pieces). OCR-101. Obesa Cantavit Records. 1994. Compact disk. Audiocasette. Deep In A Winter's Night. (holiday). OCR-104. Obesa Cantavit Records. 1998. Compact Disk. Audiocassette. Recordings are available at Sacramento area Tower Records and Dimple Records, and directly from the Sacramento Master Singers.
Bibliography: Articles in the Sacramento Bee.
History: With the 2007-2008 concert season we begin our 24th season offering exciting, thought-provoking concerts under the title Sacramento Master Singers. The choir had existed for many years prior to that time under other names. In the early 1980's, Ken Winter became director of the choir when it was known as Camellia Concert Chorale (you may pick up on the three C's subtly seen in the logo which was designed by the late Brent Smith). Mr. Winter is known for his passionate interpretations and extensive knowledge of choral literature. Sacramento Master Singers is the name later chosen for the choir, better reflecting its ties to the state's capital and the region we serve. The original articles of incorporation make it clear Ken Winter established a high standard under which we still operate-The Sacramento Master Singers will have as its purpose the practice and performance of choral music, with a high degree of excellence, for the educational and musical benefit of the community at large as well as the membership. " The first concert given under the name Sacramento Master Singers occurred at Northminster Presbyterian Church in the spring of 1984 with Ken Winter conducting 14 singers including current members Carol Barbieri and Ralph Hughes.. We are indebted to Ken and the founding members of the choir for the vision they shared in establishing this choir that many have grown to love. In the fall of 1986, Ralph Hughes became the conductor of the Sacramento Master Singers. The choir was small, and had a budget and audience to match! The intervening years have led to a choir that is thriving and a viable part of the Sacramento arts community. Many exciting "firsts " and accomplishments have occurred that we'd like to highlight for you as we celebrate this 20th Anniversary Year. One of the strengths of the choir is that the members of the Executive Board are selected from the singers. In addition to the dozens of singers who have provided leadership on the board, we have been fortunate to have superb section leaders, publicists, librarians, and other champions of our cause emerge from the choir membership to help make us a superbly well run organization. The strength of the choir is derived from the collective effort and dedication of the singers! The choir has been blessed with wonderful accompanists! In 1988 Diana Ridenour (Tudsbury) became the accompanist for the choir-you'll hear her on the early compact discs. Next we were blessed with Linda Dawson as both accompanist and frequent arranger for the choir-you can enjoy her dazzling piano skills on our more recent compact discs. We were the first choir to have a "sing along " Christmas recording with Piano Disc. Linda's playing and arrangements helped make this one of Piano Discs most popular discs for player pianos. Ah, and now we have Clifford Shockney--you've come to enjoy his fabulous piano skills whether paired with Richard Glazier for the Gershwin/Arlen concert or playing one of his fabulous arrangements. What about those other "firsts? " For starters, we were the first choir in Sacramento to have a website, and John Crowell was also planning ahead as he snagged the domain name mastersingers.org. Another highlight is that we were the first choir from the area to appear with the Boston Pops when they began their annual West Coast tours back in 1996-what a blast to sing for 14,000 in Arco Arena! In 1994 we released our first compact disc How Still He Rests, and this recording was subsequently named as one of KXPR's "Top 10 Holiday CD's. " We now proudly offer four compact discs in our catalog. In 1990 we moved our concerts from the suburbs to downtown Sacramento and our audience size blossomed. We are thrilled to be guests in some of the loveliest churches and concert halls in the city. We are grateful to the congregations of St. Francis Church, Saint Mary's Church, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Fremont Presyterian Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church and other area churches for graciously allowing us to sing in their sanctuaries. We have also performed in the Library Galleria and Crest Theater to capacity crowds. In addition to gaining the respect of our growing audience base, we have frequently received rave reviews from area critics. The support of the arts by our area's new organizations helps smaller arts groups to become known within the community-we appreciate the support of the arts provided by KXPR/KXJZ Public Radio, Sacramento Magazine, Sacramento News and Review, area news stations, and the Sacramento Bee. We deeply appreciate the support of our patrons-without them we would have less adventuresome programming and less impact in our work with area youth and schools. The support of arts grantors such as the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, California Arts Council, Sacramento Bee, Raley's, and others have allowed us to operate with stability. We are proud to say the group has remained fiscally responsible and has contributed to the well being of the arts community by hiring instrumentalists, dancers, and guest artists while always remaining "in the black. " The choir has performed numerous area and West Coast premiers of significant choral works such as Benjamin Britten's AMDG, the Robert Levin completion of Mozart's Requiem, Alfred Schnittke's Requiem. Redford's Welcome All Wonders, two commissioned works by Ralph Prime, and numerous pieces by Alberto Grau, including his Kasar Mie La Gaji. In 1994 the Sacramento Masters Singers were a "headliner " group at the American Choral Directors Association Western Division Convention. In 2000, the Sacramento Master Singers represented the United States at the multi-national America Cantat festival in Caracas, Venezuela. In 2002, the Sacramento Master Singers toured the Carolinas and sang Hughes's doctoral recital at the University of South Carolina. Is there a Grammy connection with the Sacramento Master Singers? We have collaborated numerous times with Mary Youngblood, Native American flutist who won the Grammy in 2003 for her solo instrumental work. In 2000, the Sacramento Master Singers were conducted by Joseph Jennings the week after he won the Grammy for his work with Chanticleer. In 1998, Maria Guinand conducted the Sacramento Master Singers and two years later she was nominated for best classical choral recording. Who will be next? We are proud to have linked hands with numerous area artists and arts groups. These collaborations with the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra, the Sacramento Children's Chorus, Linda Goodrich and the Sacramento Black Art of Dance, James Wheatley and Celebration Arts, the Camellia Symphony, CSUS Percussion Ensemble, Timm Rolek of Sacramento Opera, Distant Oaks and many more have made us stronger and deepened our understanding of the arts community. Collaborations with Maria Guinand and Moses Hogan broadened our outlook to include new styles of music and fresh insights on music long cherished. Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you frequently during our 24th season as the Sacramento Master Singers! "