Written by Dawn Richards
Since 1961, the San Diego Master Chorale has been a mainstay of the county’s live vocal performances. For its first Coronado visit in 29 years, the group will perform “Mixtape: The Ultimate Playlist” this Saturday, May 31 at 4 pm in the Coronado Performing Arts Center. Tickets may be purchased here.
The idea behind the concert comes from Music Director Dr. John K. Russell and his son. Upon finding an old cassette tape in the garage, Russell’s son asked what it was. As Russell explained how the tapes were used to record music before the advent of CDs and iPods, his son asked, “Do you have to charge it?” Then, as Dad explained the concept of a mixtape, his son said, “Maybe we can make a mixtape of the Master Chorale!” And, thus, the Mixtape concert was born. “We can’t wait to share this ultimate playlist,” enthuses Russell, “picked by you and sung by us!”
Here’s how it works: Fans and audience members from previous concerts were given a list of 300 song titles from six genres of music and asked to choose their three favorites from each category. They were also given the option of write-in votes, which formed the Lucky Losers category. Little did the Chorale realize how rabidly spirited and enthusiastic the voting would be!
While the playlist is a secret – not to be revealed until the concert – a few song selections have managed to slip out. “Yesterday” by the Beatles, the hauntingly beautiful “Shenandoah,” Billy Joel’s poignant “And So It Goes,” and carefully curated sections of Mozart’s Requiem are known to have made the cut. Rumor even has it that a certain sea shanty involving a drunken sailor might be performed, but you didn’t hear this from me!
A final secret will be revealed after the concert’s finale, when the Encore Battle song has been selected. That’s right: another category has been added to accommodate fans’ wishes. To determine the encore song, the top two strongest contenders that came in fourth place will be voted on by the audience at the concert. Paper ballots will be handed out as the audience streams into the theater to select their favorite. And, those with particularly fervent emotions about one of the songs can vote multiple times for the fee of $1 per vote. One can spend as many dollars or votes as one wants, which goes to the fundraiser for the Chorale. The winning song will be kept a secret until the finale, after which the encore will be played. That means everyone – the audience and Chorale alike – won’t know the outcome until the end.
Composed of 130 vocalists, both professionals and talented amateurs, the Master Chorale has performed throughout the county, including collaborations with the San Diego Symphony and Mainly Mozart Festival. In addition, their broadcasts can be heard on San Diego’s NPR station, KPBS. The mission of the ensemble is “to connect all people to the joy of professional-caliber live choral music and enrich lives by sharing what we have in common – our voice.”
In addition to uniting people through music and common experience, the group has also formed a bond with one another. Local islander Rob Taylor, a Board member who sings bass with the Chorale, expresses how the members “are a talented and tight-knit” group who share a “close friendship.”
Asked why he joined the ensemble, Rob explained that he wanted to challenge himself. Though he routinely sang in church choirs, he craved the experience of singing more complex music, and so he made it his New Year’s resolution to audition for the group, adding that, “It’s been a world changing experience, and it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t come back to Coronado.”
For those who can’t make the Saturday performance, an additional concert has been added for the next day, Sunday, June 1, 4 pm at the San Dieguito United Methodist Church in Encinitas. The Coronado concert at the Coronado Performing Arts Center is located at 650 D Ave.
Don’t miss this chance to experience a concert like no other where your favorite songs will come to life through the stellar performance of the San Diego Master Chorale. See you there!
For more information, visit sdmasterchorale.org.
