Choral Festival

This annual summer event unites singers from throughout the community with Pacific Chorale singers and alumni as well as distinguished guest artists in a free public performance.

Choral Festival FAQ

Can you help me learn my music?
Choristers are expected to prepare independently. But there are lots of online resources to help you. Here are a few that we have found for Lux Aeterna:

YouTube – FREE
Cyberbass – FREE
Choral Tracks – $$

Latin Pronunciation Guide

We are committed to singing together safely, and we are grateful for your efforts to take care of yourselves and your fellow singers. We cannot completely mitigate the risks of singing during COVID, so we are providing the following information to help you make your own informed decisions about your comfort level and risk tolerance when participating in the Choral Festival.

COVID Health and Safety
Updated 7/13/2022

We are guided in part by the CDC’s measure of Covid 19 Community Risk Levels, by the latest guidance to singing communities provided by ACDA, Chorus America, and NATS, and by real-world advice and experience of the choral music community. We understand that masking and other protocols can evoke strong reactions and we have crafted our policies after considerable research and consideration in order to make it as safe as possible for as many singers as possible to participate.

Masking, Testing, and Vaccination Requirements for Singer Participants

• All accepted participants have provided proof of full vaccination including at least one booster when eligible. All Pacific Chorale staff and singers, and all Segerstrom Center crew members are also fully vaccinated.
• All participants must take a COVID antigen test between 7 a.m. on Thursday, August 11 and 7 p.m. on Friday, August 12 and verbally attest to Pacific Chorale staff that the test was negative at check-in. This may be a self-administered home antigen test or an antigen test administered at a lab or pharmacy. No one will be allowed to participate without providing this attestation.
• Given current Covid trends, the unpredictability of the virus, and the nature of choral singing, masks are required during all rehearsals and performances. Masks are also required at all times in backstage areas of the Segerstrom Center. Masks are optional outdoors. At their discretion, the conductor may remove their mask when in front of the ensemble.
  • You may wear the type of mask with which you are most comfortable, but your mouth and nose must be covered at all times.
  • Color does not matter, but black is preferred for the concert.
  • Many singers like the tri-fold KN94 masks for singing, such as the Air Queen. Some have also had success with the Singers Mask. This is up to you, but remember the mask must stay over your nose and mouth when singing.

Refunds

With public health in mind, we are making a limited one-time exception to our usual refund policies:

• Participants who withdraw from the festival with at least 15 days of advance notice will receive a refund, minus $15 for the music that was purchased and mailed on your behalf.
• Participants who withdraw with fewer than 15 days of notice for Covid-related reasons will also be offered a partial refund if they provide proof of a positive antigen test or close exposure.
• No refunds will be provided to participants who do not provide advance notice via email of their intention to withdraw.
• Advance notice should be provided by email to festival@pacificchorale.org.

What is the schedule?
Friday – Check in begins at 6:15. Rehearsal from 7:00-10:00pm
Saturday – rehearsals from 10 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. and 2:15 – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday – dress rehearsal at 2:00 p.m. Concert at 5:00 p.m.
The concert is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets will be available online in  early July.

When can I register?
Registration will go live on May 16 at 10:00 a.m. at www.pacificchorale.org/choral-festival

What do I do if I’m not available to register online at that time?
No early registrations will be allowed. If you are traveling or otherwise unable to get online at the time that registration opens, we suggest that you find a reliable friend or family member to register you on your behalf. Here is the information they will need:

First Name, Last Name
How do you want your name to appear in the program?
Address, Daytime Phone , E-mail address
Voice Part (Soprano   Alto   Tenor    Bass)    and   Divisi (First or   Second)
Height in concert shoes
Are you a Pacific Chorale Alumna/us?
Chorus you sing with (Your chorus will be listed with your name in the program book)
Special needs or accessibility issues

Payment will need to be submitted by credit card at the time of registration, or we will need to receive a check by mail within 5 business days.

How much does it cost to participate?
The cost for 2022 participants is $95, which includes all of your music (which you get to keep) and a commemorative CD. The Sunday night performance is free, but tickets are required.

Refund Policy
Before June 15 – full refund
June 15 – July 15 – full refund minus $30 music fee
After July 15 – no refunds

If guidelines change before the start of the festival, registered participants will be notified by e-mail. If we are not able to hold the Choral Festival, full refunds will be offered. There will not be a virtual alternative.

Oh no! I’m on the wait list!
Due to the extreme popularity of this event, many sopranos and altos will end up the waiting list. We know you are disappointed and will do our best to accommodate as many singers as possible within the constraints of stage space and choral balance. Please be patient and we will contact you by e-mail if a spot becomes available for you.

Is there an age limit?
This program is designed and paced for adults. That said, anyone who is at least 16 and is able to keep up with an adult choir rehearsal is welcome. There is no upper age limit.

When/ how do I get my music?
Music will be mailed in the last 2 weeks of June. We will provide all participants with choral scores.

What do I wear?
The rehearsals are very casual, so come as you are.

For the concert, you will need to wear all black.
Option 1: Top – All black with long sleeves. Bottom – All black slacks, dress, or skirt, mid-calf or longer.
Option 2: Black or charcoal suit, black shirt, straight tie of any color(s).
Everyone: Black shoes and socks/hosiery. Sandals are okay. Understated jewelry or accessories including post earrings, watches, wedding bands, and Pacific Chorale service pins are all OK.

Where do I park?
Parking in the structure behind the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (next to the Westin Hotel) will be a flat rate of $12 on Friday & Sunday night.  This is the most convenient location to access the stage entrance.
Map and details of  parking structures and festival locations
Patrons of South Coast Plaza may park at the mall.
Please note that the Metro Center parking lot (near the old Macaroni Grille) now charges by the hour 24 hours a day.

What do I need to bring?

Your MUSIC in a BLACK binder or choir folder
A pencil to make notes
A water bottle with a lid to wet your whistle
As few valuables as humanly possible – there is no secure backstage storage for purses, etc.
Reminder – on Sunday, you need to come to rehearsal already dressed in your concert clothes. There is not space backstage for 400 of you to change!

How can I get tickets for my legions of fans?
Audience tickets will be available in July and will ONLY be available online at www.scfta.org.  Audience tickets are free, but reservations are limited to 4 per transaction since this concert sells out every year.