Saddleback College has a long tradition of choral excellence in Orange County. Currently there are two primary choral performance ensembles on campus.
The Saddleback College Community Chorale is made up of a diverse range of experienced singers from all walks of life. With the importance of intergenerational relationship at its core, the Community Chorale fosters musical experiences where education and choral performance intersect. The Community Chorale is offered through the College Emeritus Institute and encourages members of the community to become an active part of this ensemble. The group is made up of retirees, young professionals, families, hobbyists, music majors, housewives and househusbands. They all come together for the beautiful connection of singing in a wonderful ensemble.
The Saddleback College Community Chorale meets throughout the semester on Tuesday evenings from 6pm-10pm in FA101. The ensemble is directed by Dr. Scott Farthing and accompanied by long time Saddleback faculty, Pennie Foster.
The Saddleback College Chamber Singers is primarily made up of music major and minors who are interested in a high level of performance and rehearsal technique appropriate for voice majors. The Chamber Singers is a highly select group of students who are dedicated to making excellent choral music.
The Saddleback College Chamber Singers meets on Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30PM-1:45PM in FA101. The ensemble is under the direction of Dr. Farthing and accompanied by staff pianist, Catherine Tibbitts.
Recent Repertoire Includes
O Magnum Mysterium Morten Lauridsen Combined Choirs
Ave Maria Norman Weston Chamber Singers
Gloria from Bminor Mass J. S. Bach Community Chorale
Domine ad adjuvandum G.B. Martini Chamber Singers
Refuge Scott Farthing Chamber Singers
Only in Sleep Eriks Esenvalds Chamber Singers
Symphony of Psalms Igor Stravinsky Combined Choirs
Requiem John Rutter Combined Choirs
Dido and Aeneas Henry Purcell Chamber Singers
Mass in G Franz Schubert Community Chorale
Song of Democracy Howard Hanson Community Chorale
Testament of Freedom Randall Thompson Combined Choirs
The Armed Man Karl Jenkins Combined Choirs
Carmina Burana Karl Orff Combined Choirs
German Requiem Johannes Brahms Combined Choirs
Requiem Giuseppi Verdi Combined Choirs
Phantom of the Opera Andrew Lloyd Weber Community Chorale
Applied Program (Voice)
The Applied Voice Program at Saddleback College is one of the most competitive classes on campus. Through a highly selective audition process, students are selected on an extremely high level of musicianship and potential for success as a vocal major. While the program is taught with a strong foundation in classical vocal technique, it is also understood that not every singer is going to be specialize in classical voice. The philosophy holds the belief that solid vocal technique transcends through whatever style the individual wants to create.
Applied voice lessons provide the student with individual lessons with Dr. Farthing as well as individual coaching with Catherine Tibbitts. This program is necessary for any singer wanting to major in voice. In order to be in the Applied Voice Program, the student must be a music major or minor, be enrolled in the musicianship/harmony sequence, and be enrolled in a choral ensemble.
Auditions are generally on the first Thursday of each semester. Students are expected to bring a classical or musical theatre piece to the audition with a complete piano accompaniment for our staff pianist.
Opera 101
Voice majors have a unique opportunity to participate in Saddleback College’s Opera 101 program.
Each year, students will present a minimally staged opera in FA101 that allows the singers to have experience in singing roles from smaller operas with piano accompaniment. Having this practical performing experience is extremely beneficial when students transfer to universities and conservatory programs.
Past programs include:
Love, Italian Style (a collection of Italian arias about love)
Dido and Aeneas, Henry Purcell
Gallantry, A Soap Opera, Douglas Moore
The Elixir of Love, Donizetti
Phantom of the Opera, Lloyd Webber
Sailing the High C’s, Opera Choruses and Arias
Mitridate, Mozart
The Old Maid and the Thief, Menotti
The Goose Girl, Pasatieri
The Telephone, Menotti
The Medium, Menotti
