Written by Mary Dan Eades on July 13, 2018
Are you thinking about auditioning for the Santa Barbara Choral Society? Do you wonder what it’s like to belong to this chorus? We asked our current singers to tell us what specifically moves them to go through the audition process year after year. Here are some of their responses:
“Our weekly rehearsals feed my soul, and performing for the community is one of the best gifts I am able to give.” – Diane, 20-year member
“It’s a privilege to have this chorus in Santa Barbara, and even more so to belong to it.” – Val, 1-year member
“The music that we make is at such a high level of quality. I have friends there.” – Felicia, 11-year member
“Singing feeds my soul, surrounded by outstanding musicians — amateur and professional. Our director is about the quality of music as well as enjoyment!” – Jody, 1-year member
“I love the opportunity to sing with others and work toward performances which drives the group forward. It’s a great experience which I have been a part of for 12 yrs.” – Marilyn, member
“The chance to go on tour to Italy was what led me to audition the first time. I continue to audition each year because I value the friendships and experiences that this chorus has given me.” – Suzie, 3-year member
“The incredible positive energy you can only get from the sounds waves of 100 people’s voices washing over you. The camaraderie. The mental challenge of learning new, difficult music. The benefits of deep breathing!” – Mary Dan, 14-year member
Mary Dan also offers the following audition advice: “Do yourself a favor and JUST DO IT! It will likely be the best thing you’ve done for yourself in a long time.” Won’t you consider auditioning for our 71st season? Auditions will be held this coming August 25 & 26 by appointment. Click here for more information about the process. We hope you will schedule yours!
American baritone, Ralph Cato has travelled the world extensively, telling stories in song with his warm, clarion baritone voice.
Tenor, Benjamin Brecher has performed over fifty operatic roles with many of the world’s most prestigious opera companies, specializing in the high lying lyric tenor repertoire. He has performed 16 roles with New York City Opera alone. Career highlights include performances with Opera Orchestra of New York, L’Opera de Nice, Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, L’Opera de Montreal, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, among many others. His orchestral solo repertoire includes Mozart, Handel, Orff, Bach, Haydn, as well as many performances of Britten. In 2000 he began performing the great Irish Tenor songs in a concert produced for him entitled A Celtic Celebration, Twenty years later, the show has become a North American hit with performances with 45 Symphonies in North America. Ben continues his discography having added his twelfth recording in 2016 Forgotten Liszt, with pianist Robert Koenig, and will record a new release in 2022 entitled “Three Centuries of Thomas Moore” including the music of Britten, Berlioz, and Sarah Gibson on MSR Classics. He is a Professor of Voice at University of California Santa Barbara, where he has served as the Head of Voice.
Tracy Van Fleet is pleased to return to the Santa Barbara Choral Society. As a soloist, she has performed with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Lüneburg Symphony in Germany, Orquesta Filarmónica de Boca del Río in Mexico, Pasadena Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, Los Angeles Bach Festival, San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Philharmonic, USC Symphony and Chorus, and others. She has had many appearances with the Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Opera Pacific, San Diego Opera and Opera Colorado.
Born and raised in Southern California, April Amante is a versatile soprano with expertise and facility in repertoire spanning from early music to contemporary musical theater.