Who are we?
The Orange Community Master Chorale was founded in 1994 and is a non-profit community based choir located in the city of Orange, in Orange County, California, U.S.A. The OC Master Chorale has a reputation for being one of the finest community choral organizations in Southern California. It is open to any person in Southern California who wishes to sing.
Where do we sing?
From it’s founding, The Orange Community Master Chorale has been participating in and creating events that help the City of Orange to be more culturally diverse and musically aware. Two events created by the chorus are the Tree Lighting and Candlelight Procession for the City of Orange ( since1995) and “Third of July Program” a patriotic program for the 3rd of July (Since 1996)! Each of these events has a draw of several thousand people. The chorus is also been selected to be a featured choir for special performances annually such as the "Candlelight Procession " at Disneyland, in Anaheim, California. And they have been featured entertainment for the Disney Community Service Awards. We also present a fall and Spring concerts featuring works such as Carmina Burana by Orff, Five Tudor Portraits by Ralph Vaughn Williams, Verdi Requiem and Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen. In May of 2009 the OC Master Chorale performed the Lux Aeterna in Carnegie Hall under the direction of their director Michael Short. Our most recent performance was Carmina Burana by Carl Orff with Symphony Irvine and the Master Chorale of Saddleback Valley.
Where have we traveled?
The Orange Community Master Chorale is a choir of 80 – 90 singers who’s talents are in demand on a year round schedule. The Master Chorale has completed two “European Concert Tours” one tour of the British Islands and a “Greek Concert Tour” in April of 2011. During the summer of 2015 we had an amazing “Concert Tour of Ireland” where were joined with the “Master Chorale of Saddleback Valley” for this exciting adventure in the summer of 2015. Check the Pictures. We have just returned from New York and are planning a concert tour of Scotland and Wales in the summer of 2019!
Who is our leader?
With a bachelor’s degree from Chapman University in Orange, California and a master’s degree in choral conducting from California State University, Fullerton, Michael Short is the founder and musical director of the Orange Community Master Chorale. In addition to secular responsibilities as vocal music director at Orange High School, Mr. Short has directed music at First United Methodist Church of Orange since 1988.
He has an extensive and active participation as an adjudicator in choral festivals and honor choir performances as well as with the American Choral Directors Association on a regional and national level.
Producing and directing, in cooperation with the City of Orange, the annual 3rd of July patriotic program (with fireworks) and the Treelighting and Candlelight Procession in the downtown plaza for the last twenty-five years are among the highlights on his resume. This December will again find him at the helm of the Second Annual Christmas in Southern California presentation at Chapman University’s Musco Center. Mr. Short has directed several concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York City with both high school and adult participants and he regularly organizes concert tours for both age groups in the United States and abroad. (Another trip is planned to Scotland, Wales and England for the Orange Community Master Chorale in July of 2019.)
Mr. Short’s choral groups—school and church—have appeared in two feature films, Ed Wood and Sister Act 2 and performed musical voice-over for a movie about Stan Lee. Among his many awards and recognitions are the prestigious Bravo Award from the Los Angeles Music Center, Outstanding Teacher from the Orange Unified School District, a Teacher of the Year finalist, Outstanding Alumnus from Chapman University and he was selected Citizen of the Year by the City of Orange.
TThe latest project to be the recipient of Mr. Short’s boundless enthusiasm and leadership is the creation of a venue to feature the creative artists of the community called Greater Orange Community Arts Theater (GOCAT) which is now in planning stages. (Stay tuned.)
Join us for an evening of holiday cheer and family fun as we sing traditional carols of the season with the Orange Community Master Chorale led by musical director Michael Short.
Holiday Festivities begin at 3:30 pm. The Main Musical Program and Tree Lighting Ceremony begins at 5:15 pm.
Our local non-profit groups will provide delicious food and youth activities for a nominal charge.
Tree Lighting Ceremony and Candlelight Choir Procession
Location:
Old Towne Orange Plaza
Date:
Sunday, December 2, 2018
Time:
3:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Any city can celebrate America’s birthday on July 4. The City of Orange does it the right way, starting the party a day early.
Orange is proud to present the Annual “3rd of July” Celebration and Fireworks Spectacular. Residents and visitors are invited to come out to El Modena High School – Fred Kelly Stadium on Monday, July 3rd beginning at 4 p.m. to get the Independence Day party started early.
For over two decades, the City of Orange 3rd of July Celebration has been a beloved community event. The July 3rd Celebration features live music, a petting zoo, pony rides, children’s activities, community food booths, and an authentic hometown carnival atmosphere. When the sun sets, our grand finale begins with a performance by the Orange Community Master Chorale, and climaxes with a patriotic fireworks salute to America.
In order to protect the field at Fred Kelly Stadium, the following items are not allowed on the field: lawn chairs, food, drinks, seeds of any kind, gum, popcorn, hard soled or high-heel shoes, and any other items staff deem as harmful to the field. Wheeled items such as strollers, wheelchairs, wagons, or other wheeled items are only permitted in designated areas.
Tickets are $7- children two years old and under are free- and can be purchased at the Community Services Department, 230 East Chapman Ave. through 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 3. Tickets may also be purchased at the event site after 1 p.m.
3rd of July Celebration - Orange
Location::
El Modena High School
3920 E. Spring St.
Orange, CA 92869
Date:
July 3, 2019
Time:
4:00pm - 9:00pm
Tickets: $7 - children two years old and under are free- and can be purchased at the Community Services Department, 230 East Chapman Ave. through 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 3. Tickets may also be purchased at the event site after 1 p.m.
Relax and enjoy a concert filled with some of your favorite Broadway and film tunes from the last fifty years or so, featuring selections by the chorale, and a smaller group of performers as well as solos, duets and combos.
Music Music Music
Location::
Trinity Lutheran Church
4101 E. Nohl Ranch Road
Anaheim,
Date:
July 3, 2019
Time:
4:00pm - 9:00pm
Musco Center Presents
Join us for the second annual tradition as more than 150 performers from across Southern California – musicians, singers, dancers – bring you a holiday spectacular packed full of your favorite carols. From the triumphal tones of a brass fanfare to the thrilling sound of a chorus in full voice and the sugarplum dreams woven by dancers’ feet, there’s something for all ages in this merry delight. It’s a show that’s sure to make your Christmas season glow brightly.
A Southern California Christmas
Location:
Musco Center of the Arts
Date:
December. 16, 2018
Time:
4:00 PM
OTHER INFORMATION: Box Office is open Tuesday-Friday 12:00-6:00pm and 60 minutes before showtime.
More Info: muscocenter.org
Honor the brave men and women who lost their lives 17 years ago.
A special commemoration ceremony will be held in the magnificent White House East Room, and will include patriotic performances by a near 200-member choir and band, formal Presentation of Colors and singing of our National Anthem by the Air Force Blue Eagles Honor Guard, remarks by new Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy and Orange County Undersheriff Don Barnes.
9/11 Commemoration at the Nixon Library
Location:
Nixon Library East Room
Date:
September 11, 2019
Time:
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM