The 2020-2021 Season marks Jo Anne Wasserman’s 28th year as Artistic Director and Conductor of SBCS. While you can read her full bio here, we’d thought we’d share a few things about her that you might not be aware of. She’s a California native, born, raised, and educated in the greater Los Angeles area, where Read More »
We have never missed a performance season since our founding in 1948. Despite wildfires and mud slides, the show has always gone on, and we’re determined that even during a worldwide pandemic, the 2021 season will be no exception. We are pleased to present our first offering of the 2020-2021 season, a Virtual Spring Video. Read More »
Singing is simply good for us, as individuals, as couples, as groups of friends, as a community. That’s something those of us who love to sing have always believed, certainly, but now there’s science to back it up. If you’re a singer — even if you’ve been unable to do any group singing for a Read More »
In another year, at another time, before covid-19 gathering restrictions were in place, SBCS singers and Conductor JoAnne Wasserman would be standing at the Santa Barbara Cemetery and singing at the Memorial Day tribute in the Pierre Claeyssens’ Veterans Foundation ceremony on Monday. One of our favorite concerts of the year is to honor the Read More »
On this day in 1742 the most popular choral work in the world premiered in Dublin. Until the covid-19 pandemic shuttered the performances spaces, it was performed regularly around the globe, certainly at Christmas, but occasionally at Easter. SBCS performed selections of Parts I, II, and III in an Easter Messiah at Hahn Hall in Read More »
SB Choral Society Soirée It was an evening of high note when board member Todd and Allyson Aldrich hosted a sunset soirée for Santa Barbara Choral Society at their Montecito ocean view aerie. “It’s a nice way of saying a big thank you to our Canto Society members who are the real foundation Read More »
CHORAL TAPESTRY CONCERTS POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19 A message from SBCS Board President, Karen Williams… Dear SBCS friends, Thank you for supporting the Santa Barbara Choral Society. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation and the County Health directive that all gatherings over 250 people be postponed or cancelled, our March 21-22 Choral Tapestry Concerts, at Read More »
We’ve repeated it again and again in these pages: singing is good for you. Good for your soul, for your brain, for your health. But it’s not just us saying that. This UK study offers even more proof to back up that assertion. Read it and, if you’re a singer and you’re not singing in Read More »
Join us for some holiday cheer! Santa Barbara’s annual favorite, The Hallelujah! Project, returns to the Lobero stage for the seventh consecutive year with its trademark blend of holiday classics and seasonal favorites. Conductor Jo Anne Wasserman leads the Santa Barbara Choral Society and Orchestra in this enchanted performance of holiday merriment that is not Read More »
Don’t miss this one-night-only triple bill at The Granada, a Choral Society and State Street Ballet collaboration, with the Choral Society and Orchestra conducted by Jo Anne Wasserman. Featuring choreography by William Soleau, set to American composer Leonard Bernstein’s powerful Chichester Psalms, with chorus, orchestra, and countertenor Jacob Hall; renowned composer Morten Lauridsen’s ethereal Lux Aeterna, and Aaron Read More »
Do you like to sing? Do you want a little mid-week fun? Join Opera Santa Barbara and SB Choral Society for its first Big Sing! at the Granada Theatre Lobby. Take a different kind of lunch break and join OSB’s Artistic and General Director Kostis Protopapas for a reading of opera’s beloved choral works in Read More »