Our History
The Santa Barbara Master Chorale was formed in 1984 to perform major works, primarily in the oratorio tradition. Phillip McLendon, our inspiring and inspired first Music Director, led the Chorale for over two decades through an impressive body of work. Dr. Steven Hodson carried forward this Santa Barbara tradition from 2007 to 2o21 as Artistic Director and Conductor, and Erin Bonski-Evans served as Associate Conductor from 2010 to 2019. leading the group for several beautiful and varied concerts.
Our current Artistic Director and Conductor is David Torres, who continues to grow the Chorale's creativity and excellence through choral masterpieces for our audiences.
Our current Artistic Director and Conductor is David Torres, who continues to grow the Chorale's creativity and excellence through choral masterpieces for our audiences.
2023 - 2024
~~~ November 11 & 12, 2023 ~~~
Timeless & Transcendent
Gabriel Faure - Requiem John Rutter - Gloria
and more
First United Methodist Church, Santa Barbara
~~~ December 10, 2023 ~~~
Holiday Lights
Annual Holiday Concert and Sing-Along
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Montecito
~~~ April 13 & 14, 2024 ~~~
I Will Rise
Music of Resilience -- Beethoven, Bernstein, Parker
First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara
Timeless & Transcendent
Gabriel Faure - Requiem John Rutter - Gloria
and more
First United Methodist Church, Santa Barbara
~~~ December 10, 2023 ~~~
Holiday Lights
Annual Holiday Concert and Sing-Along
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Montecito
~~~ April 13 & 14, 2024 ~~~
I Will Rise
Music of Resilience -- Beethoven, Bernstein, Parker
First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara
2022-2023
~~~ December 2022 ~~~
Holiday Concert cancelled due to COVID outbreak
~~~ January 28 & 29, 2023 ~~~
Haydn – The Creation
~~~ May 12 & 13, 2023 ~~~
Be Not Afraid
featuring John Rutter – Requiem
and works by Campbell, Courtney, Ešenvalds,
Forrest, Hagenberg, and Narverud
2021-2022
-- Fall concert cancelled due to pandemic --
December 12, 2021
Sing We Now of Christmas!
Annual Holiday Concert and Carol Sing-Along
Live at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Montecito, California
(Our first live performance since December 2019 due to the pandemic!)
-- Spring concert postponed to January 2023 due to pandemic --
December 12, 2021
Sing We Now of Christmas!
Annual Holiday Concert and Carol Sing-Along
Live at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Montecito, California
(Our first live performance since December 2019 due to the pandemic!)
-- Spring concert postponed to January 2023 due to pandemic --
2020-2021
September 2020
Anton Bruckner: Locus Iste
Virtual Performance
December 2020
Annual Holiday Concert
A Virtual Performance of Favorite Carols
performed at Hospice of Santa Barbara's Light up a Life Ceremony
July 2021
4th of July Celebration
Virtual Performance of Songs of America
Anton Bruckner: Locus Iste
Virtual Performance
December 2020
Annual Holiday Concert
A Virtual Performance of Favorite Carols
performed at Hospice of Santa Barbara's Light up a Life Ceremony
July 2021
4th of July Celebration
Virtual Performance of Songs of America
2019-2020
November 9-10, 2019
Johannes Brahms: Requiem
December 15, 2019
Strike the Harp and Join the Chorus!
Annual fundraiser: Holiday Concert, Singalong, and Reception
NOTE:
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the 2020 Spring concert was cancelled.
Johannes Brahms: Requiem
December 15, 2019
Strike the Harp and Join the Chorus!
Annual fundraiser: Holiday Concert, Singalong, and Reception
NOTE:
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the 2020 Spring concert was cancelled.
2018-2019
November 10-11, 2018
Dan Forrest: Jubilate Deo
Antonio Vivaldi: Gloria in D Major
Dan Forrest: Jubilate Deo
Antonio Vivaldi: Gloria in D Major
December 16, 2018
Santa Barbara Sings!
A free holiday gift to the community
Santa Barbara Sings!
A free holiday gift to the community
April 6-7, 2019
Ralph Vaughn Williams: The Sea Symphony
Ralph Vaughn Williams: The Sea Symphony
June 9, 2019
On Wings of Song - A Musical Celebration of Birds
On Wings of Song - A Musical Celebration of Birds
2017-2018
November 4-5, 2017
Dan Forrest: Requiem for the Living
Gabriel Fauré: Requiem in D Minor
Dan Forrest: Requiem for the Living
Gabriel Fauré: Requiem in D Minor
December 11, 2017
Annual Holiday Concert Fundraiser -- Cancelled due to fires
Annual Holiday Concert Fundraiser -- Cancelled due to fires
April 14-15, 2018
George Frideric Handel: Samson
George Frideric Handel: Samson
June 10, 2018
Gioachino Rossini: Petite Messe Solennelle (little solemn mass)
Gioachino Rossini: Petite Messe Solennelle (little solemn mass)
2016-2017
November 12-13, 2016
Giuseppe Verdi: Messa da Requiem
Giuseppe Verdi: Messa da Requiem
April 8-9, 2017
J.S. BACH, TEACHER OF US ALL
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christ Lag in Todesbanden
Johann Sebastian Bach: Choral Fantasy
Heinz Werner Zimmermann: Psalmkonzert
June 11, 2017
AN AMERICAN CHORAL JOURNEY
Works from 1840 to the present, including
Sacred Harp singing and
Morten Lauridsen's Nocturnes
2015-2016
November 21-22, 2015
Felix Mendelssohn: Elijah
April 2-3, 2016
BEETHOVEN EXTRAVAGANZA
Choral Fantasy
Mass in C Major
Piano Concerto No.4
June 12, 2016
AMERICAN JOURNEY: A Celebration in Song
with special guests:
Mama Pat's Inner Light Gospel Choir
Felix Mendelssohn: Elijah
April 2-3, 2016
BEETHOVEN EXTRAVAGANZA
Choral Fantasy
Mass in C Major
Piano Concerto No.4
June 12, 2016
AMERICAN JOURNEY: A Celebration in Song
with special guests:
Mama Pat's Inner Light Gospel Choir
2014-2015
November 22-23, 2014
Johann Sebastian Bach: Mass in B Minor
December 14, 2014
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
March 21-22, 2015
Mikis Theodorakis/Pablo Neruda: Canto General
Johann Sebastian Bach: Mass in B Minor
December 14, 2014
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
March 21-22, 2015
Mikis Theodorakis/Pablo Neruda: Canto General
2013-2014
November 16-17, 2013
Hector Berlioz: L'Enfance du Christ
Robert Schumann: Romanzen und Balladen, Opus 67
Robert Schumann: Requiem für Mignon, Opus 98b
December 15, 2013
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
April 5-6, 2014
Leonard Bernstein: Chichester Psalms and The Lark
Benjamin Britten: Rejoice in the Lamb
June 14, 2014
Memorable Songs from the 1940s and 1950s
by Rodgers & Hammerstein,
Irving Berlin, and George Gershwin
Hector Berlioz: L'Enfance du Christ
Robert Schumann: Romanzen und Balladen, Opus 67
Robert Schumann: Requiem für Mignon, Opus 98b
December 15, 2013
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
April 5-6, 2014
Leonard Bernstein: Chichester Psalms and The Lark
Benjamin Britten: Rejoice in the Lamb
June 14, 2014
Memorable Songs from the 1940s and 1950s
by Rodgers & Hammerstein,
Irving Berlin, and George Gershwin
2012-2013
November 17-18, 2012
BACH TO BACH MAGNIFICATS!
Johann Sebastian Bach: Magnificat
Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach: Magnificat
December 16, 2012
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
April 20-21, 2013
Antonin Dvořák: Stabat Mater
BACH TO BACH MAGNIFICATS!
Johann Sebastian Bach: Magnificat
Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach: Magnificat
December 16, 2012
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
April 20-21, 2013
Antonin Dvořák: Stabat Mater
2011-2012
November, 2011
A GLORIOUS CELEBRATION!
Antonio Vivaldi: Gloria
Antonio Vivaldi: Magnificat
Dieterich Buxtehude: Gloria
Dieterich Buxtehude: Magnificat
December 11, 2011
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
April 14-15, 2012
Gabriel Fauré: Requiem
Gabriel Fauré: Cantique de Jean Racine
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christ Lag in Todesbanden
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Ave Verum Corpus
June 2-3, 2012
FAVORITE OPERA CHORUSES
Franz Schubert: Mass in G, featuring soprano Celeste Tavera
A GLORIOUS CELEBRATION!
Antonio Vivaldi: Gloria
Antonio Vivaldi: Magnificat
Dieterich Buxtehude: Gloria
Dieterich Buxtehude: Magnificat
December 11, 2011
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
April 14-15, 2012
Gabriel Fauré: Requiem
Gabriel Fauré: Cantique de Jean Racine
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christ Lag in Todesbanden
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Ave Verum Corpus
June 2-3, 2012
FAVORITE OPERA CHORUSES
Franz Schubert: Mass in G, featuring soprano Celeste Tavera
2010-2011
November 20-21, 2010
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem
December 12, 2010
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
March 26-27, 2011
Claudio Monteverdi: Vespers of 1610
Giovanni Gabrieli: Jubilate Deo and In Ecclesiis
June 4-5, 2011
HOOTENANNY!
A Celebration of American Folk Songs
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem
December 12, 2010
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
March 26-27, 2011
Claudio Monteverdi: Vespers of 1610
Giovanni Gabrieli: Jubilate Deo and In Ecclesiis
June 4-5, 2011
HOOTENANNY!
A Celebration of American Folk Songs
2009-2010
November 14-15, 2009
George Frideric Handel: Israel in Egypt
December 20, 2009
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
March 13-14, 2010
Mikis Theodorakis/Pablo Neruda: Canto General
May 22-23, 2010
Broadway Favorites and Richard Rodgers Songbook
George Frideric Handel: Israel in Egypt
December 20, 2009
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
March 13-14, 2010
Mikis Theodorakis/Pablo Neruda: Canto General
May 22-23, 2010
Broadway Favorites and Richard Rodgers Songbook
2008-2009
November 15-16, 2008
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio
December 14, 2008
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
March 21-22, 2009
Felix Mendelssohn: Elijah
May 30-31, 2009
Johannes Brahms: Liebeslieder Waltzes,
and Hungarian Dances for 4-Hand Piano
Aaron Copland: Old American Songs
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio
December 14, 2008
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
March 21-22, 2009
Felix Mendelssohn: Elijah
May 30-31, 2009
Johannes Brahms: Liebeslieder Waltzes,
and Hungarian Dances for 4-Hand Piano
Aaron Copland: Old American Songs
2007-2008
December 16, 2007
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
April 5-6, 2008
Henry Purcell: Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary
and Music for the Birthday of Queen Mary
Georg Frideric Handel: Coronation Anthem Nos. 1 & 4
June 7-8, 2008
FAVORITES FROM THE 40's AND THE FAB FOUR
with special guests: Art Emr and Friends
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
April 5-6, 2008
Henry Purcell: Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary
and Music for the Birthday of Queen Mary
Georg Frideric Handel: Coronation Anthem Nos. 1 & 4
June 7-8, 2008
FAVORITES FROM THE 40's AND THE FAB FOUR
with special guests: Art Emr and Friends
2006-2007
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Mass in C Minor
Johann Sebastian Bach: Magnificat in D Major
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Vaughan Williams/Walt Whitman: Sea Symphony
Igor Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms
IN THE MOOD: Ellington, Brubeck, and others
Johann Sebastian Bach: Magnificat in D Major
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Vaughan Williams/Walt Whitman: Sea Symphony
Igor Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms
IN THE MOOD: Ellington, Brubeck, and others
2005-2006
Gabriel Fauré: Requiem
Franz Joseph Haydn: Mass in Time of War
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Mikis Theodorakis/Pablo Neruda: Canto General
AMERICANA: Randall Thompson, Irving Berlin, and others
Franz Joseph Haydn: Mass in Time of War
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Mikis Theodorakis/Pablo Neruda: Canto General
AMERICANA: Randall Thompson, Irving Berlin, and others
2004-2005
TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY SEASON!
Johannes Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Toward an Unknown Region
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Carl Orff: Carmina Burana
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem
OPERA SCENES & CHORUSES: Puccini, Verdi, and others
Johannes Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Toward an Unknown Region
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Carl Orff: Carmina Burana
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem
OPERA SCENES & CHORUSES: Puccini, Verdi, and others
2003-2004
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Hodie
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Coronation Mass in C
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Franz Schubert Mass in E Flat
Ludwig van Beethoven: Choral Fantasia
Gilbert & Sullivan Favorite Choruses
Johannes Brahms: Liebslieder Walzes
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Coronation Mass in C
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Franz Schubert Mass in E Flat
Ludwig van Beethoven: Choral Fantasia
Gilbert & Sullivan Favorite Choruses
Johannes Brahms: Liebslieder Walzes
2002-2003
Hector Berioz: L'Enfance du Christ
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Joseph Haydn: Lord Nelson Mass
Maurice Durufle: Requiem
Sergei Prokofiev: Ivan the Terrible (with the Santa Barbara Symphony)
ENGLISH & ROMANTIC CHORAL MUSIC
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Joseph Haydn: Lord Nelson Mass
Maurice Durufle: Requiem
Sergei Prokofiev: Ivan the Terrible (with the Santa Barbara Symphony)
ENGLISH & ROMANTIC CHORAL MUSIC
2001-2002
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Franz Joseph Haydn: Te Deum
Arthur Honegger: Le Roi David (King David)
A FESTIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL FOLK SONGS
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Franz Joseph Haydn: Te Deum
Arthur Honegger: Le Roi David (King David)
A FESTIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL FOLK SONGS
2000-2001
Claudio Monteverdi: Vespers of 1610
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata Number 4
Anton Bruckner: Mass in F Minor
MUSIC FOR BRASS, ORGAN & CHORUS:
Gabrieli, Schütz, Dello Joio, and Rutter
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata Number 4
Anton Bruckner: Mass in F Minor
MUSIC FOR BRASS, ORGAN & CHORUS:
Gabrieli, Schütz, Dello Joio, and Rutter
1999-2000
15th Anniversary Season
Beethoven: Mass in D, “Missa Solemnis"
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Johann Sebastian Bach: Mass in B Minor
Tribute to Musical Theater
Beethoven: Mass in D, “Missa Solemnis"
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Johann Sebastian Bach: Mass in B Minor
Tribute to Musical Theater
1998-1999
Franz Schubert: Mass in G
Johannes Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Gustav Holst: Hymn of Jesus
Maurice Duruflé: Requiem
Giacomo Puccini: Messa di Gloria
and Great Opera Choruses:
Giuseppe Verdi: "Brindisi. Libbiamo, ne' lieti" from La Traviata; "Va Pensiero" (Chrous of the Enslaved Jews) from Nabucco
Pietro Mascagni: "Scene and Prayer" from Cavalleria Rusticana
Arrigo Boito: "Prologue in the Heavens" from Mephistopheles
Johannes Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Gustav Holst: Hymn of Jesus
Maurice Duruflé: Requiem
Giacomo Puccini: Messa di Gloria
and Great Opera Choruses:
Giuseppe Verdi: "Brindisi. Libbiamo, ne' lieti" from La Traviata; "Va Pensiero" (Chrous of the Enslaved Jews) from Nabucco
Pietro Mascagni: "Scene and Prayer" from Cavalleria Rusticana
Arrigo Boito: "Prologue in the Heavens" from Mephistopheles
1997-1998
Johann Sebastian Bach: Magnificat
Franz Schubert: Mass in E Flat
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Igor Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem
Carl Orff: Carmina Burana (with SB Symphony, Choral Society, Children’s Chorus)
POPS CONCERT: Selections from musical theater and great American standards
Franz Schubert: Mass in E Flat
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Igor Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem
Carl Orff: Carmina Burana (with SB Symphony, Choral Society, Children’s Chorus)
POPS CONCERT: Selections from musical theater and great American standards
1996-1997
Johann Sebastian Bach: Wachet Auf!
Vaughan Williams: Hodie
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Gabriel Fauré: Requiem
William Walton: Belshazzar’s Feast
Nikolas Theodorakis/Pablo Neruda: Canto General
Vaughan Williams: Hodie
Annual Holiday Concert, Carol Sing-Along, and Party
Gabriel Fauré: Requiem
William Walton: Belshazzar’s Feast
Nikolas Theodorakis/Pablo Neruda: Canto General
1995-1996
Antonin Vivaldi: Gloria
Hector Berlioz: L’Enfance du Christ
Johann Sebastian Bach: Mass in B Minor
Francis Poulenc: Gloria
Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem
Hector Berlioz: L’Enfance du Christ
Johann Sebastian Bach: Mass in B Minor
Francis Poulenc: Gloria
Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem
1994-1995
Ludwig van Beethoven: Mass in D, “Missa Solemnis”
Johannes Brahms: Liebeslieder Walzer
Luigi Cherubini: Requiem in C Minor
WEST COAST PREMIER — Nikolas Theodorakis/Pablo Neruda: Canto General
Johannes Brahms: Liebeslieder Walzer
Luigi Cherubini: Requiem in C Minor
WEST COAST PREMIER — Nikolas Theodorakis/Pablo Neruda: Canto General
1993-1994
Johannes Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem
George Frideric Handel: Israel in Egypt
Norman Dello Joio: Hymn to St. Cecelia
Carl Orff: Carmina Burana
George Frideric Handel: Israel in Egypt
Norman Dello Joio: Hymn to St. Cecelia
Carl Orff: Carmina Burana
1992-1993
Franz Schubert: Mass in E Flat
Gabriel Fauré: Requiem
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Magic Flute (concert version)
Carl Orff: Carmina Burana
Gabriel Fauré: Requiem
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Magic Flute (concert version)
Carl Orff: Carmina Burana
1991-1992
Schubert: Mass in E Flat
JS Bach Wachet Auf
George Frideric Handel: Messiah — 250th Year Commemoration
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA: Puccini, Gluck, Rossini
JS Bach Wachet Auf
George Frideric Handel: Messiah — 250th Year Commemoration
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA: Puccini, Gluck, Rossini
1990-1991
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Hodie
Phillip McLendon: Divinum Mysterium
Igor Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem
Joseph Haydn: Theresienmesse
Henry Purcell: O Sing Unto the Lord
Phillip McLendon: Divinum Mysterium
Igor Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem
Joseph Haydn: Theresienmesse
Henry Purcell: O Sing Unto the Lord
1989-1990
Johannes Brahms: A German Requiem
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Toward an Unknown Region
Joseph Haydn: Lord Nelson Mass
Maurice Duruflé: Requiem
POPS CONCERT: Gershwin and others
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Toward an Unknown Region
Joseph Haydn: Lord Nelson Mass
Maurice Duruflé: Requiem
POPS CONCERT: Gershwin and others
1988-1989
Johann Sebastian Bach: Magnificat
Hector Berlioz: L’Enfance du Christ
Norman Dello Joio: Hymn to St. Cecilia
Anton Bruckner: Mass in E Minor
VENICE TO VIENNA: Albioni, Vivaldi, and Haydn
Hector Berlioz: L’Enfance du Christ
Norman Dello Joio: Hymn to St. Cecilia
Anton Bruckner: Mass in E Minor
VENICE TO VIENNA: Albioni, Vivaldi, and Haydn
1987-1988
George Frideric Handel: Messiah
Johann Sebastian Bach: Mass in B Minor
Pops Concert
Johann Sebastian Bach: Mass in B Minor
Pops Concert
1986-1987
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata 146
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Hodie
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christ Lag in Todesbanden
Gabriel Fauré: Requiem
Randall Thompson: Frostiana
Benjamin Britten: Rejoice in the Lamb
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Hodie
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christ Lag in Todesbanden
Gabriel Fauré: Requiem
Randall Thompson: Frostiana
Benjamin Britten: Rejoice in the Lamb
1985-1986
George Frideric Handel: Israel in Egypt
Anton Bruckner: Mass in F Minor
Pops Concert
Anton Bruckner: Mass in F Minor
Pops Concert
Come Sing with Us!
Click here for information about joining the Santa Barbara Master Chorale
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Click here for information about joining the Santa Barbara Master Chorale
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