Choral Ensembles
- Bel Canto Women’s Choir
- Chamber Singers
- Gospel Choir
- Men’s Chorale
- Oratorio Choir
- University Choir and Orchestra
- Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Bel Canto Women’s Choir
The Bel Canto Women’s Choir brings to life a wide variety of contemporary Christian music, gospel songs, spirituals, a cappella arrangements, and classical music. Building on the group’s 30-year heritage, the 60-voice-strong ensemble travels extensively, entertaining and ministering to thousands of people worldwide. Most recently, Bel Canto appeared as the featured guest on The Hour of Power at Garden Grove’s Crystal Cathedral and in Disneyland’s Community Artist’s Showcase, performed Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols and Vivaldi’s Gloria, and toured orphanages and churches in Romania.
Under the expert direction of David Hughes, DMA, Bel Canto Women’s Choir books more than 25 performances each year and boasts numerous custom recordings.
Chamber Singers
The Chamber Singers, directed by Michelle Jensen, M.M., perform a variety of musical styles ranging from early Renaissance to contemporary a capella. Their high level of performance draws and blends the best of talent in students desiring to build their education and performance experience. Chamber Singers performs at various university events and recitals, churches, high schools, and various competitions and festivals, thereby reinforcing musicianship. In addition to extensive touring to international venues such as Germany, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, and Australia, including a recent performance in the Sydney Opera House, the Chamber Singers also perform at local concerts.
Gospel Choir
APU’s Gospel Choir combines unique voices with a fresh sound to establish a gospel music experience that is both artistic and cultural. Combining the gifts and talents of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, administration, and community members makes this choir one of the most diverse organizations on campus.
The choir, led by Letitia Ugwueke, performs at special events such as Hands Across Azusa, World Vision, the Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature, and Night of Champions. Future plans include a CD recording, national tour, and trips to Europe and Africa.
Men’s Chorale
A popular choral ensemble for more than 30 years, the Men’s Chorale performs for churches, schools, and civic organizations, frequently appears as a guest artist at the Disneyland Community Artists’ Showcase, and recently participated in the Festival of Christmas concert at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, and with the Ralph Carmichael Big Band. In addition to biweekly performances, the Men’s Chorale tours extensively throughout the United States and internationally, including a tour of orphanages and churches in Romania.
Under the direction of Harold Clousing, M.A., the 70-voice Men’s Chorale performs classic choral literature, gospel songs, modern arrangements of traditional spirituals, contemporary Christian music, and newly commissioned pieces by contemporary composers. Men’s Chorale boasts numerous custom recordings as well as the musical work Great and Marvelous that was a national release for music publishers.
Oratorio Choir
Directed by John Sutton, DMA, the Oratorio Choir comprises 160 music majors. The group studies and performs classic choral works twice yearly.
University Choir and Orchestra
A nationally renowned, mixed-voice choral and orchestral ensemble under the direction of John Sutton, DMA, the University Choir and Orchestra (UCO) performs various styles of music with a concentration in contemporary Christian music at churches and schools throughout the Pacific Northwest, Southeast, and Mountain states.
In addition to biweekly performances, UCO has also presented two NBC Christmas specials, three sold-out concerts at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Symphonic Spectacular, concerts with the Long Beach Symphony POPS! Orchestra, and a performance as the featured musical ensemble for the sixth World Congress for Nurse Anesthetists (a worldwide organization involving participants from 40 countries). Accolades include: the Dove Award for the musical recording Exaltation, and a Grammy nomination for the Gospel recording Amen with the Cincinnati POPS! Orchestra in 1990.
Vocal Jazz Ensemble
APU’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble is an audition-based vocal ensemble in the School of Music. The ensemble includes 10-12 talented singers, a rhythm section, and horns. This ensemble performs a wide variety of vocal jazz literature, both classic and contemporary, and is available to perform for special private events in Los Angeles County. In addition to their fall and spring performances each year, the APU Vocal Jazz Ensemble is honored to appear annually in the Battle of the Big Bands concert featuring both APU’s Jazz Ensemble and Citrus College’s Blue Note Orchestra. The Vocal Jazz Ensemble also appears regularly at schools, civic organizations, and other local concert events. The ensemble is under the direction of Rod Cathey, DMA, who has spent the majority of his APU career conducting choral groups. Cathey has also conducted Men’s Chorale, University Choir and Orchestra, and Oratorio Choir.
*Tapes and CDs are available through the School of Music for these ensembles.
