March 17, 2023
2023 Spring Choral Festival
Robert Istad, festival director
Framroze Virjee, President, California State University, Fullerton
Amir H. Dabirian, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)
Alexander Porter, Vice President, Administration and Finance/CFO
David Forgues, Vice President, Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion
Rommel Hidalgo, Vice President, Information Technology
Tonantzin Oseguera, Vice President, Student Affairs
Gregory J. Saks, Vice President, University Advancement
Arnold Holland, EdD, Dean
Dave Mickey, Associate Dean
Bonnie Li Victorino, Academic Resource Manager
Christopher Johnson, Budget Coordinator
Heather Guzman, Assistant to the Deans
Visual Arts Special Projects, Jade Jewett
Dr. Randall Goldberg, Director, School of Music
Dr. James Hussar, Chair, Department of Visual Arts
Jamie Tucker, Chair, Department of Theatre & Dance
Jennifer Frias, Director, Nicholas & Lee Begovich Gallery
John Spiak, Director, Grand Central Art Center - Santa Ana
Ann Steichen, Director of Development
Erika Ochoa, Support Group Coordinator
Julie Bussell, Director, Marketing & Patron Services
Stephanie Tancredi, Box Office Manager
Heather Richards-Siddons
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Alvin Chiu, Graphic Designer
Jason Pano, Social Media Strategist
Greetings from the College of the Arts! It’s so good to have you back, and we have an exceptional spring season planned for you. With programming ranging from groundbreaking theatre productions to World-Premiere concerts, our spring offerings seem to shine a bit brighter this semester. On January 28, we kicked things off with the Visual Arts Modernization Project Preview Event and groundbreaking ceremony. More than 100 invited guests joined us for a sneak peek of the project as they engaged with some of the latest technology-driven art tools, experienced AR/VR project demonstrations by visual arts students, and viewed scale models of the complex. When completed, this renovation will transform our campus and community, positioning CSUF’s visual arts program – the largest in the Cal State system – as a leader in cutting-edge art education and practice within the CSUs. Follow our progress and join us on this extraordinary journey at art.fullerton.edu/vamod.
This season’s fresh slate of visual arts exhibitions and performing arts concerts and productions are sure to keep you coming back to campus! Beginning February 18, Begovich Gallery presents the exhibition “Figures, Poses, and Glances: The Coded Illustrations of J.C Leyendecker,” at MUZEO Museum & Cultural Center, exploring the coded depictions of queer culture in the eradefining images of this early twentieth-century American illustrator. The School of Music honors Black History Month with a performance of “Symphony No. 1 in E minor” by composer Florence Price – the first Black female composer to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra. In Theatre, Maria Cominis’ “Women of Zalongo” weaves together the experiences of four generations of Greek women into a story of resilience, struggle, and survival. And in May, our student dancers and choreographers collaborate in rhythmic, expressive movement as “Spring Dance Theatre” returns to the Little Theatre.
Our diverse programming mirrors the diversity of the College of the Arts and is a testament to the values we hold. We embrace the possibility inherent in each of our students and celebrate their successes alongside them on their path to becoming future artists, educators, performers, and arts professionals. As patrons, donors, friends, and family, I know you also champion their success. Demonstrate your commitment to the future of the arts by supporting the Dean’s Fund for Excellence at any level. Donate today at arts.fullerton.edu/giving
I invite you to visit to campus our again for another performance, or to check out our progress as the Visual Arts Modernization Project moves into the next phase of construction. You may have even seen the walls of one of our new buildings going up along State College Blvd! Whatever brings you here, welcome. We are so proud to show you all that the College of the Arts at Cal State Fullerton has to offer.
Arnold Holland, Ed.D. Dean, College of the Arts
Dr. Randall Goldberg • Director, School of Music
Kimo Furumoto • Assistant Director, School of Music
Bongshin Ko • Assistant Director, School of Music
FULL-TIME FACULTY
Conducting
Kimo Furumoto - instrumental
Dr. Robert Istad - choral
Dr. Dustin Barr - instrumental
Jazz and Commercial Music
Bill Cunliffe* - jazz piano; arranging; Fullerton Jazz Orchestra, Fullerton Big Band and combo director
Rodolfo Zuniga - jazz studies, jazz percussion, and music techology; Fullerton Chamber Jazz Ensemble director
Piano, Organ, Piano Pedagogy
Ning An - piano
Bill Cunliffe - jazz piano
Alison Edwards* - piano, piano pedagogy, class piano
Dr. Robert Watson - piano
Music Education, Teacher Training, and Teaching Credential
Dr. Christopher Peterson - choral
Dr. Dennis Siebenaler* - general
Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore - instrumental
Music in General Education
Dr. John Koegel*
Dr. Katherine Reed
Music History and LIterature
Dr. John Koegel - musicology
Dr. Katherine Reed - musicology
Strings
Kimo Furumoto - Director of Orchestra Studies
Bongshin Ko - cello
Dr. Ernest Salem* - violin
Theory and Composition
Dr. Pamela Madsen - composition, theory
Dr. Ken Walicki* - composition, theory
Vocal, Choral, and Opera
Dr. Mark Goodrich* - voice, academic voice courses
Dr. Robert Istad - Director of Choral Studies and University Singers
Dr. Kerry Jennings - Director of Opera
Dr. Christopher Peterson - CSUF Concert Choir and Singing Titans conductor
Patricia Prunty - voice, academic voice courses
Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion
Dr. Dustin Barr - Director of Wind Band Studies, University Wind Symphony, University Band
Jean Ferrandis - flute
Sycil Mathai* - trumpet
Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore Symphonic Winds conductor
SCHOOL OF MUSIC STAFF
Michael August - Production Manager
Eric Dries - Music Librarian
William Lemley - Audio Technician
Jeff Lewis - Audio Engineer
Chris Searight - Music Instrumental Services
Paul Shirts - Administrative Assistant
Elizabeth Williams - Business Manager
Sue Winston - Office Coordinator
* denotes Area Coordinator
music.fullerton.edu
facebook.com/CSUFMusic twitter.com/CSUFMusic instagram.com/CSUFMusic soundcloud.com/csufmusic
Introduction
The Vocal/Choral/Opera programs at CSUF offer a variety of opportunities for singers and conductors at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Students receive a specialized yet comprehensive education while preparing for careers as performers, teachers and conductors. Classical Singer Magazine recognized the Opera Theatre and vocal programs for excellence in training young singers for professional operatic careers.
Private lessons in voice are the core of each of the study programs in voice and are solely taught by members of our well-respected faculty. The program also includes courses in vocal literature, vocal pedagogy, art song, opera literature and foreign-language diction. Students receive individual attention and perform frequently in recitals and master classes.
CSUF boasts five outstanding choral ensembles: University Singers, Concert Choir, Titan Men’s Chorus, Women’s Choir, and Jazz Singers, conducted by acclaimed faculty members. The ensembles regularly tour both locally and internationally, performing at numerous national and regional conventions and with major orchestras including the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Choral conducting classes are available at the undergraduate level, with advanced conducting seminars and private lessons available at the graduate level.
Students in choral music education receive advanced training in choral conducting, voice and choral/teaching pedagogy. In addition to developing outstanding musical, teaching, and performance skills, these students usually continue on after graduation to earn a California teaching credential, and to become leaders in the choral music teaching profession. These students may also access all courses and performing activities offered in the vocal area. All choral music education students gain significant experience in solo vocal performance, choral performance, vocal pedagogy, diction, and solo/choral
literature. Weekly half hour lessons are offered as a core experience in this degree path.
The graduate degree program in choral conducting provides an intensive experience designed to enhance conducting skill while increasing aptitude in scholarly practice. The Master of Music in Choral Conducting degree prepares students for advanced ventures in conducting and entrance into doctoral programs of study. Alumni of the M.M. in Choral Conducting are regularly accepted at conducting programs of note throughout the United States including the University of Southern California, University of Michigan, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Opera Program
Each fall CSUF Opera Theatre presents a program of opera excerpts and oneacts designed to provide performance opportunities for our singers. Each spring semester, fully staged operatic productions with orchestra are mounted, which have included Candide, La Bohème, Street Scene, The Magic Flute, Die Fledermaus, The Crucible, Le Nozze di Figaro, Gianni Schicchi, The Elixir of Love, A Wake or a Wedding, and The Merry Widow. Beyond the campus productions are offered at Leisure World in Orange County and other venues. Operatic productions have included The Magic Flute, Candide and The Old Maid and the Thief. Singers are also given the opportunity to participate in all aspects of opera production including staging, costumes, props, make-up, set design, and lighting.
Alumni
The Vocal/Choral/Opera program has a long list of professionally successful alumni who are active in both educational and performance careers, among them internationally recognized singers Deborah Voigt, Rod Gilfry, Charles Castronovo, Diane Elias and Jubilant Sykes, and esteemed conductors Peter Rutenberg, Gary McKercher, Gordon Paine, Ricardo Soto, Stan Hill, Robert Istad and Robert Geary.
MORNING OPEN HIGH SCHOOL FESTIVAL
Lori Marie Rios, adjudicator
ANAHEIM HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER SINGERS
Antone Rodich, conductor
Martha Thompson Key, collaborative pianist
Lamentations of Jeremiah Z. RANDALL STROOPE
Sing Me to Heaven
DANIEL E. GAWTHROP
Cornerstone
SHAWN KIRCHNER
MAGNOLIA HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER SINGERS
Alan Garcia, conductor
Martha Thompson Key, collaborative pianist
Jede sedlák
CZECH FOLK SONG, ARR. JAROSLAV KRČEK
The Sun Never Says DAN FORREST
Augu Nakti AIVARS NEIBARTS
JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER SINGERS
Juan-Jose Garcia, conductor
Kevin Nickelson, collaborative pianist
Poor Man Lazarus
JESTER HAIRSTON
Hold Fast To Dreams
SUSAN LABARR
Still I Rise ROSEPHANYE POWELL
EL MONTE HIGH SCHOOL A CAPPELLA CHOIR
Joel Whisler, conductor
Eunyoung Sohng, collaborative pianist
The Promise of Light GEORGIA STITT
Good Night, Dear Heart DAN FORREST
Janger
BUDI SUSANTO YOHANES
SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER SINGERS
Jared Pugh, conductor
Yu Young Jeong, collaborative pianist
See the Light SARAH QUARTEL
Elijah Rock JESTER HARRISON
I Started Out Singing JOCELYN HAGEN
IRVINE HIGH SCHOOL IRVINE SINGERS
Tina Peterson, conductor
Jill Brenner, collaborative pianist
Shangilia! “Rejoice!” WILL LOPES
Shenandoah
AMERICAN FOLKSONG
ARR. MARK WILBERG
Leron, Leron Sinta
TRADITIONAL FILIPINO, ARR. SAUNDER CHOI
BONITA HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER SINGERS
Ryan Yoder, conductor
Matthew Swartz, collaborative pianist
Frohlocket Ihr Völker Auf Erden FELIX MENDELSSOHN
Bogoroditse Devo SERGEI RACHMANINOFF
Mata Del Anima Sola ANTONIO ESTÉVEZ
Way Over in Beulah Lan’
ARR. STACEY V. GIBBS
BISHOP AMAT MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER SINGERS
Jennifer S. Escovar, conductor
Mary Hsu, collaborative pianist
O Fortuna (from Carmina Burana) CARL ORFF
Lux Arumque ERIC WHITACRE
Ain’t-a That Good News!
ARR. STACEY V. GIBBS
MORENO VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER SINGERS
Erika Jackson, conductor
Karen Bogart, collaborative pianist
Sisi Kushangilia VICTOR C. JOHNSON
Stand Up
MAC HUFF
O Magnum Mysterium DAVID CHILDS
Lord If I Got My Ticket ARR. STACEY V. GIBBS
CAL STATE FULLERTON CONCERT CHOIR
Christopher Peterson, conductor
Mark Salters, collaborative pianist
Elizabeth Provencio, graduate assistant
Gloria
STEPHEN CHATMAN
Fire
KATERINA GIMON
O Love
ELAINE HAGENBERG
My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord MOSES HOGAN
AFTERNOON INVITATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FESTIVAL
Lori Marie Rios, Robert Istad, Christopher Peterson, adjudicators
CAL STATE FULLERTON CONCERT CHOIR
Christopher Peterson, conductor
Mark Salters, collaborative pianist
Elizabeth Provencio, graduate assistant
Gloria STEPHEN CHATMAN
Fire
KATERINA GIMON
O Love
ELAINE HAGENBERG
My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord MOSES HOGAN
FOUNTAIN VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL TROUBADOURS
Kevin Tison, conductor
Garrett Young, collaborative pianist
Exultate Deo JESSE BEULKE
Light Beyond Shadow
DAN FORREST
ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
Fernando Muñoz, conductor
Lord For Thy Tender Mercy’s Sake
RICHARD FARRANT
Chères Fleurs
JULES MASSENET
Omnis Una
URMAS SISACK
Dörven Dalai
YONGRUB
GLENDORA HIGH SCHOOL ROYAL STEWARTS
Matthew Davis, conductor
Ashley Conner, collaborative pianist
We Built This City
ARR. COOPER BALDWIN
Annie’s Song
ARR. MATT VILAR
Me and My Gang
ARR. ANITA CRACAUER
JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL CHORALE
Andrew Hernandez, conductor
Hymn of Acxiom
VIENNA TENG
Nyon Nyon
JAKE RUNESTAD
CANYON HIGH SCHOOL
CHAMBER SINGERS
Jens Hurty, conductor
Gukhui Han, collaborative pianist
To the Mothers In Brazil: Salve Regina
ARR. GUNNAR ERIKSSON
Good Night, Dear Heart DAN FORREST
Ah! Si Mon Moine Voulait Danser!
ARR. DONALD PATRIQUIN
RIVERSIDE POLY HIGH SCHOOL
CHAMBER SINGERS
Kristen Walton, conductor
Solomon Tran, collaborative pianist
Vamuvamba
ARR. BONIFACE MGANGA
Refuge
ELAINE HAGENBERG
Citlali Campos, cello
In Meeting We are Blessed
TROY D. ROBERTSON
PALMDALE HIGH SCHOOL
CHAMBER SINGERS
Michael McCullough, conductor
Sarah Bunch, violin
Kamarie Bridges, Maria Gonzalez and Kalebh
Wood, percussions
I’m a Train
ARR. PETER KNIGHT
Peze Kafe
ARR. STEN KALLMAN
Caritas Abundat
MICHAEL JOHN TROTTA
GARDEN GROVE HIGH SCHOOL
VOCAL ENSEMBLE
Amanda Mitten, conductor
Crucifixus
ANTONIO LOTTI
Indodana
ARR. MICHAEL BARRETT AND RALF SCHMITT
The Battle of Jericho
ARR. MOSES HOGAN
AYALA HIGH SCHOOL
VOCAL ENSEMBLE
Robert Davis, conductor
Nearer, My God to Thee
ARR. JAMES L. STEVENS
Rhylee Smith, soloist
And So I Go On JAKE RUNESTAD
Daphne Master, soloist
Soon I Will Be Done
ARR. STACEY V. GIBBS
Leanne Camagay, soloist
CAL STATE FULLERTON UNIVERSITY SINGERS
Robert Istad, conductor
Gukhui Han and Jared Pugh, graduate assistants
Nunc Dimittis
GUSTAV HOLST
Jenna Hansen, soprano
Frank Watnick, tenor
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
TRADITIONAL, ARR. CEDRIC DENT
Gukhui Han, graduate student conductor
Tuttarana
John Alexander, adjudicator
CAL STATE FULLERTON CONCERT CHOIR
Christopher Peterson, conductor
Mark Salters, collaborative pianist
Elizabeth Provencio, graduate assistant
Alleluia
AMY GORDON
To the Mothers in Brazil: Salve Regina
LARS JANSSON, ARR. GUNNAR ERIKSSON
Elizabeth Provencio, graduate assistant conductor
David Pulanco and Bryce Rivera, percussion
O Love
ELAINE HAGENBERG
Lead with Love
MELANIE DEMORE
Karlee Dix, Reinhard Siedenburg, and Gabriela Atkinson, soloists
LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE VIKING CHORALE AND SINGERS
Skye Angulo, conductor
Ronin del Castillo, collaborative pianist
Also Sprach Zarathustra
RICHARD STRAUSS
ARR. BROWN & PHILLIPS
Good Morning!!
TEXU KIM
Herman’s Nigun
ELEANOR EPSTEIN
Fire
KATERINA GIMON
A Path to Each Other
JOCELYN HAGEN AND TIMOTHY C. TAKACH
RIVERSIDE CITY COLLEGE CHAMBER SINGERS
Paolo Nolasco, student conductor
Evelyn Lee, collaborative pianist
Saeya, Saeya Parang Saeya
ARR. YOUNG-AH KIM
I Carry Your Heart with Me
JONATHAN REID
Lux Aeterna
KYUNGSUK CHEON
Arirang
ARR. HYO WON WOO
BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE
CHAMBER SINGERS
Jennifer Garrett, conductor
Poor Wayfaring Stranger
ARR. ALEXANDER LLOYD BLAKE
Come Sweet Death
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
ARR. RHONDA SANDBERG
Death Came A-Knockin (Travelin’ Shoes)
TRADITIONAL SPIRITUAL ARR. PAUL RARDIN
COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS
Lori Marie Rios, conductor
Emil Iliev, collaborative pianist
Tarakita
REENA ISMAIL
Il Bianco e dolce cigno JACQUES ARCADELT
Total Praise
RICHARD SMALLWOOD
Daniel, Daniel, Servant of the Lord UNDINE S. MOORE
CAL STATE FULLERTON UNIVERSITY SINGERS
Robert Istad, conductor David Bergstedt, collaborative pianist
A Silence Haunts Me JAKE RUNESTAD
Christopher Peterson, conductor
Elizabeth Provencio, graduate assistant
Mark Salters, collaborative pianist
Soprano 1
Angel Hudak Hawkins
Lilah Hernandez
Alejandra Morales
Nya Nulty
Hannah Park
Sara Preston
Gabrielle Roberts
Abigail Sorber
Marissa Valenzuela
Soprano 2
Alliah Anid
Gabriela Atkinson
Sarah Cabrera
Alyssa Cavero
Irene Crain
Sarah Gediman
Sophia Khurana
Amber Napoli
Sidney Wu
Alto 1
Elizabeth Butler
Kimberly Calica
Katelyn Cruz
Benny Fisher
Emily Hernandez
Minji Kim
Emily Morley
Savana Thomas
Alto 2
Z Dickerson
Karlee Dix
Gabriela Gonzalez
Madeline Miranda
Marilyn Negron
Elizabeth Provencio
Hyerin Song
Korie Smith
Melanie Whiter
Tenor 1
Timothy Coleman
Aron Demarest
Juan de Leon
Josh Evans
Ryan Guidotti
Enrique Ortega
Reinhard Siedenburg
Tenor II
Michael Judge Ferrer
Jacob Gonzalez
Nathan Oelkers
Anthony Osborn
Alexei Rehorn
Bryce Rivera
Jakob Swetland
Baritone
Walker Dixon
Michael Kronenberg
Allan Morales
Michael Monaghan
Jeremy Peña-Barrios
Jack Pruitt
David Pulanco
Bass
CJ Koehn
Jonathan Ongman
Ben Reyes
Miles Rojo
Robert Istad, conductor
Jared Pugh and Gukhui Han, graduate assistant
David Bergstedt, collaborative pianist
Soprano 1
Beatriz Avila Casillas
Jordan Birgy-Krasnoff
Kirsten Leon*
Mai Saito
Soprano 2
Corina Gonzales
Gukhui Han*
Jenna Hansen
Thalia Moore-Shearer
Alto 1
Adena Bentley
Martina Goldring
Bekka Knauer*
Ahlitney Lucas-Krebs
Alto 2
Hannah Black
Joy Dorko
Elizabeth Provencio*
Jessica Salsgiver
Tenor 1
Zachary Lindquist*
Sam Miller
Jaime Reza
Frank Watnick
Tenor 2
Abraham Cervantes
Evan Banks
David Melendez
Jared Pugh*
Baritone
Daniel Freeman
Ashton Hackwith
Emilio Lopez Felix*
Dylan Leisure
Bass
Adam Daruvala
Mitchell Sampang
Fernando Muñoz*
Bryce Livingston * Section Leader
Lori Marie RIOS
Lori Marie Rios is a highly accomplished conductor, soprano soloist, educator, adjudicator, clinician, and voice teacher. In her 16th year at College of the Canyons she is Professor of Music. She directs the Chamber Singers, Voices of the Canyons, and teaches voice. Additionally, she administrates the applied music program.
Prior to her appointment at COC, she directed the choral program at La Canada High School/Middle School for 8 years. Previous to that, she taught K-8 classroom and choral music. Ensembles under her direction have sung all over the United States including appearances at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Regional Conference in Las Vegas in 2004 and at the ACDA National Conference in Miami in 2007. She is currently adjunct faculty at California State University, Fullerton, where she is a mentor teacher in the music education department.
Rios has presented workshops for California Choral Directors Association, Nevada Choral Directors Association, Rocky Mountain Choral Festival, and travelled to Tokyo to work with the St. Mary’s International School Choir Program as well as conducted various Regional and All State honor choirs. College of the Canyons Chamber Singers were selected and performed in 2019 at the California All-State Music Association Conference in 2019.
As a Soprano solist, Rios made her Walt Disney Concert Hall debut in 2008 as a soloist in the Mozart Requiem under the baton of Grant Gershon. Other solo works include Rossini/Stabat Mater, Bach/Magnificat, Vivaldi/Gloria and Orff’s/Carmina Burana among others.
Currently, Professor Rios is co-Artistic Director of the Idyllwild Arts Choral/Vocal program and has been on that faculty for 20 years. She is also the associate conductor of Vox Femina of Los Angeles. She is a past president of the California ACDA and serves on the Regional and National Steering Committees for the association.
Rios holds the Master of Music degree in conducting and vocal performance from the University of Nevada, Reno where her master teachers were Dr. Bruce MayhallRastrelli and Prof. Don Brinegar and a Bachelor of Music in choral studies/vocal performance from California State University, Los Angeles.
Rios is married to Bryan, and they have two children Lacey and Clayton both have spouses, Karen and Justin. Six years ago, they became grandparents to Meadow Moon. In her free time, she loves spending time drinking wine, being with friends, travelling, trying out different coffee houses, and being with her family. She loves life to the fullest. She loves to laugh and is blunt and honest, always.
John ALEXANDER
John Alexander is one of America’s most respected choral conductors. His inspired leadership both on the podium and as an advocate for the advancement of the choral art has garnered national and international admiration and acclaim.
Alexander’s long and distinguished conducting career has encompassed hundreds of choral and orchestral performances nationally and in 27 countries around the globe. He has conducted his singers with orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, the former Soviet Union and South America and, within his own Southern California community, with Pacific Symphony, Pasadena Symphony, Musica Angelica and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Alexander is equally proficient behind the scenes, having prepared choruses for many of the world’s most outstanding orchestral conductors, including Zubin Mehta, Pierre Boulez, Seiji Ozawa, Michael Tilson Thomas, Leonard Slatkin, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Gustavo Dudamel, Lukas Foss, Max Rudolf, Carl St.Clair, Gerard Schwarz, Marin Alsop, John Mauceri, John Williams, and Keith Lockhart.
Alexander is the Artistic Director Emeritus of Pacific Chorale in Orange County, California, where he served as Artistic Director and Conductor from 1972 to 2017. Under his direction, the organization grew to become one of the foremost symphonic choirs in the nation, enjoying thirteen international tours throughout Europe, Asia, and South America; establishing productive artistic partnerships with Pacific Symphony and Segerstrom Center for the Arts; performing dozens of world and United States premieres; and releasing numerous recordings.
Alexander is nationally recognized for his leadership in the musical and organizational development of the performing arts. He is a board member and former president of Chorus America, the service organization for choruses in North America. Alexander also has served on artistic review panels for national, statewide and local arts organizations, including the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.
Alexander holds the title of Professor Emeritus at California State University, Fullerton, where he taught as Director of Choral Studies from 1996 to 2006. From 1970 to 1996, he held the same position at California State University, Northridge. Today he continues his involvement in the pre-professional training of choral conductors. He is in demand as a teacher, clinician, and adjudicator in festivals, seminars and workshops across the United States. In 2003, Chorus America honored him with the establishment of the “John Alexander Conducting Faculty Chair” for their national conducting workshops. His numerous tributes and awards include the Howard Swan Award from ACDA (2017). Lifetime Achievement Award from ACDA ), the “Michael Korn Founders Award for Development of the Professional Choral Art” from Chorus America (2008); The “Distinguished Faculty Member” award from California State University, Fullerton (2006); the Helena Modjeska Cultural Legacy Award (2003), presented in honor of his lifetime achievement as an artistic visionary in the development of the arts in Orange County; the “Outstanding Individual Artist” Award (2000) from Arts Orange County; the “Gershwin Award” (1990), presented by the county of Los Angeles in recognition of his cultural leadership in Los Angeles; and the “Distinguished Professor” Award (1977) from California State University, Northridge.
Christopher PETERSON
Christopher Peterson is a teacher, conductor, choral clinician, author, editor, and choral arranger of music and books published in the United States and around the world. In his over thirty years as a music educator he has taught in elementary, middle school, high school, church, community, festival, and collegiate settings. He earned the Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Southern Maine in choral and instrumental music education and taught music for nine years in the public schools of Maine. He earned the Master of Music in Choral Conducting degree at the University of Maine, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education and Choral Conducting at Florida State University.
At CSUF Peterson trains and mentors undergraduate and graduate choral music educators and conductors and directs the Concert Choir and the Singing Titans Chorus. In May of 2019 he was honored as the University-wide recipient of the CSUF Carol Barnes Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has served as State Choral Representative and Southern Section President for the California Music Educators Association (CMEA), as well as the Western Division Representative for the National Association for Music Education’s (NAfME) Council for Choral Education. He has also served the California Choral Directors Association in various offices, including CCDA President since 2021. His collegiate textbook “RESONANCE: The ART of the Choral Music Educator” is published by Pavane and is being used across the United States to train future choral music teachers and conductors.
Peterson has been invited to teach, judge, and conduct choirs in more than thirty US states, five Canadian Provinces, and nine countries including China, England, Sweden, Japan, Germany, New Zealand, and Holland, and has conducted AllState Choirs across the nation including Maine, North Carolina, Oregon, Wisconsin, and California. He also holds the position of Director of Music at Irvine United Congregational Church in Irvine, CA. His “hobby” for many decades has been enjoying singing barbershop harmony, and he is a BHS District Quartet Champion baritone, a top-5 medalist chorus director, and a four-time gold medalist with the Masters of Harmony, nine-time International Men’s Chorus Champions of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
