Choral and Vocal Ensembles
University Singers
As one of the nation’s premiere collegiate choral ensembles, California State University, Fullerton’s University Singers have epitomized excellence for more than 50 years. Under the baton of Dr. Robert Istad, the University Singers are internationally acclaimed for their exquisite musicianship and have performed with renowned orchestras in prestigious venues at home and abroad, touring more than a dozen countries since 2007. Continuing to build upon this remarkable legacy, Istad and the University Singers regularly collaborate with professional orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Pacific Symphony, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra. They have earned praise for their professionalism and expressive musicality from conductors they have worked with including Carl St.Clair, John Mauceri, John Williams, Eugene Kohn, Sir Neville Marriner, James Conlon, and Keith Lockhart.
Whether performing under the batons of John Williams or Gustavo Dudamel at the Hollywood Bowl; backing the vocals of Andrea Bocelli; or featured at Carnegie Hall, Chartres Cathedral, or Cal State Fullerton’s own Meng Concert Hall, the University Singers never fail to deliver the unmistakable sound synonymous with their reputation. In 2017, they recorded an album with Sony Classical under the baton of John Williams in a recording of music he composed for Steven Spielberg. Also in 2017, Istad and the University Singers released a commercial recording with Yarlung Records entitled “Nostos: The Homecoming of Music”– eleven vocal works sung and recorded in one take, without sheet music or editing. Not content to merely excel in the classical realm, the University Singers have also performed with Juanes, M83, Beck, Beach House, and Sean Lennon and can be seen in the PBS production “The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses.”
The California State University, Fullerton Concert Choir, directed by Christopher Peterson, is a 74-voice auditioned, mixed ensemble comprised primarily of students studying voice in the School of Music. The Concert Choir gives a number of performances in Southern California every year, and has also toured in Canada, Hawaii, Europe, and the United States. The Concert Choir performs a variety of accompanied and unaccompanied repertoire, and collaborates annually with the CSUF University Singers to present performances of choral-orchestral masterworks. They have joined the University Singers in performances with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and the Pacific Symphony Orchestra. For the past four years they have represented CSUF at the Pacific Southwest Intercollegiate Choral Association Festival of Choirs. A major mission of the Concert Choir is to sing and perform traditional as well as new choral music at the highest artistic levels, and to communicate to their audiences through compelling and musical performances.
CSUF Concert Choir
Titan Voices
Under the direction of Kim Nason, the Titan Voices is a diverse group of talented treble singers hailing from a number of different majors and departments on campus. Basic and advanced singing techniques are included in rehearsals, as well as musicianship and sight singing training. This gender neutral choir performs a wide variety of repertoire representing all historical periods and styles. Performance opportunities include singing in the beautiful Meng Concert Hall, and the choir also appears in the Holiday spectacular, "Deck the Hall."
The 50-voice Singing Titans is an energetic and entertaining ensemble made up of a variety of majors and departments on campus. The choir rehearses regularly and performs eclectic programs of music from virtually every historical period and genre. Under the directorship of Dr. Christopher Peterson, the Singing Titans presents at least four annual concerts on campus in CSUF's world-class performing auditorium, the 800-seat Meng Concert Hall. Additionally, the choir occasionally accepts performance opportunities off-campus in venues throughout Southern California
The Singing Titans
CSUF Opera Theatre
The CSUF Opera Theatre program is directed by Dr. Kerry Jennings. They produce opera excerpts, one acts and full-length operas, both on campus, and at various venues in the Orange County and Los Angeles area. Each spring the CSUF Opera Theatre presents a fully staged opera production with orchestra; past repertoire includes Hansel and Gretel, Albert Herring, The Elixir of Love, The Marriage of Figaro, Gianni Schicchi, Dialogues of the Carmelites, Street Scene, The Gondoliers, The Mikado & The Crucible. The production in the fall is a program of various opera scenes and one act operas; Opera Theatre offers valuable musical, acting and staging opportunities, as well as behind-the-scenes experience in staging, costumes, props, make-up, set design and lighting. Classes in acting as well as master classes with famous guest artists are also offered.
Many former Opera Theatre student participants have gone on to stellar performing careers including opera’s preeminent dramatic soprano Deborah Voigt, mezzo-soprano Renée Tatum, tenor Charles Castronovo and bass-baritone Christopher Job .
