"Keep America Singing" 

In November 2003, a new arts education program was launched with the help of a grant from the City of Santa Clarita.  Called “Keep America Singing,” the program provides fourth through sixth graders an opportunity to learn about and experience great choral music through classroom instruction, CDs, tapes, live demonstrations, and free passes to Chorale concerts.

The Keep America Singing program was developed and is administered by Kay Dell, a member of the Santa Clarita Master Chorale who has taught elementary music education for over 20 years and is currently serving as an adjunct professor -- teaching music literature for children -- at both California State University, Northridge, and California State University, Channel Islands.  

Over 400 fifth-graders at James Foster Elementary in Saugus, Fair Oaks Elementary in Canyon Country, and Sulphur Springs Elementary in Canyon Country, were treated the "Keep America Singing" program during the 2003/2004 season. 

High School Internships

Now in its sixth year, the Chorale’s high school intern program provides a special musical experience for selected Santa Clarita high school students who have demonstrated outstanding vocal ability. 

Students are recommended by their high school choral teachers and must pass the normal audition process of the Chorale. Once accepted, they must meet all regular Chorale membership standards and requirements. During their internship, they will gain the invaluable experience of singing challenging repertoire with a high quality adult group for an entire concert season. 

High School Masterclasses and Performance Opportunities

For the last five concert seasons, the Chorale’s artistic director has given annual masterclasses to Valencia High School music students to help them appreciate and understand major works like the Requiems of Brahms, Fauré, Duruflé and Mozart, Haydn's "Lord Nelson Mass" and many others, prior to the Chorale’s performances of these masterworks.

In June 2000, the Canyon High School Concert Choir was invited to join the Chorale for the final numbers of the Chorale’s ‘Bach to Broadway’ concert, giving the young students the experience of singing with a high caliber adult choral group under a master conductor.

In March 2002, the Valencia and Saugus High School choirs were invited to join the Chorale in a rehearsal of the Mozart Requiem, preparing the students for a Carnegie Hall performance.

In October 2004, the Valencia and Canyon High School Choirs joined the Santa Clarita Master Chorale for a special performance in honor of the grand opening of the new Vital Express Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita.  The three choirs performed separately and then joined together under the director of Allan Petker to sing with special guest artist, "America's tenor," Steve Amerson.

Community Benefit Performances

The Chorale regularly gives community benefit performances. Past performances have been for the benefit of senior citizens at Sterling Canyon and Friendly Valley; organizations such as the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, the City of Santa Clarita, the Valencia Library and the Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club; and events such as the Los Angeles Arts Open House, Bella Via (a local street painting festival), and the Opening Ceremonies of the Santa Clarita Special Olympics.

In November of 2001, the Chorale performed for "Thanksgiving for Freedom," a benefit concert for victims of the 9/11 tragedy presented by local performing arts organizations, held at the Six Flags Magic Mountain Amphitheatre. On the first anniversary of 9/11, at 8:46 a.m., the Chorale performed the Mozart Requiem as part of the "Rolling Requiem," a worldwide choral commemoration of all those lost and those who helped others on 9/11/01.  On the second anniversary of 9/11, the Chorale performed the Fauré Requiem as part of a service of remembrance at Valencia United Methodist Church.

(Organizations interested in benefit performances should contact the Chorale, in writing, three to six months prior to the desired date of performance.)

Pre-Concert Lectures

In conjunction with its March masterworks concerts, the Chorale offers free pre-concert lectures so that its audiences can learn more about these great masterworks before hearing them in performance. Past lecturers have been Dr. Paul Plew, Chairman of the Music Department at The Master’s College; Kenneth Sanson, former music critic, "Chicago’s American;" James Person, Founder and Director of the Anglican Chorale, and Alexander Ruggieri, Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Bach Festival.  This season, Allan Robert Petker, the director of the Santa Clarita Master Chorale, will be the guest speaker. 

Santa Clarita Master Chorale, Inc.
PO Box 800459
Santa Clarita, CA  91380-0459
Phone: (661) 254-8886