Welcome To The
California Desert Chorale!
The Chorale is comprised of both professional and amateur singers who love a wide variety of musical styles. Our members are auditioned and come to the ensemble with extensive choral experience.
Concerts by the California Desert Chorale offer music appealing to all audiences. Our performances are ethereal, dynamic, enthusiastic, humorous, and poignant.
Please check our "SEE US" page for information on our current seasons events. We hope to see you there!
Get To Know Us
Celebrating 15 Seasons Of Beautiful Music
California Desert Chorale was established in January of 1994 by founding Artistic Director, Jackie Doyle and co-founder, Nancy WIlliams. Tim Bruneau became the Chorale's second Artistic Director two years ago. The ensemble enters its SIXTEENTH season of bringing fine choral music to the Coachella Valley.
Our members come to the ensemble with extensive experience, having sung under such respected choral conductors as
Roger Wagner, Leonard Bernstein, Paul Salamunovich,
Olaf Christiansen, Daniel Moe and Margaret Hillis.
Within the past decade, California Desert Chorale has performed in many Coachella Valley venues, including local churches, schools, the Indian Wells Theater and the McCallum Theater, where it has collaborated with such well-known artists as
Andy WIlliams, Barry Manilow and Johnny Mann.
The Chorale continues to make a committed contribution to offering music education, which funds higher music education for talented high school singers and the continuation of California Desert Chorale Children's Choir, under the direction of Alan Barthel.
Performances by California Desert Chorale offer something to appeal to all. The concerts are in turn, ethereal, dynamic, enthusiastic, spirited, humorous, and poignant.
Tim Bruneau
Artistic Director
TIM BRUNEAU holds a Bachelor's Degree in Choral Conducting from Lawrence University and a Master's Degree in Vocal Performance from California State University at Los Angeles. He received further vocal training in the master classes of numerous esteemed artists including:
Marilyn Horne, Beverly Sills, Martin Katz, Benita Valente,
Gerard Souzay and Elly Ameling.
Mr. Bruneau has sung under the baton of such legendary conductors as: Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Margaret Hillis, Paul Salamunovich,
Ricardo Muti and Leonard Slatkin. He has appeared as both a soloist and choral singer with a wide variety of musical organizations, such as the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Musica Angelica and Opera A La Carte.
Mr. Bruneau has appeared as a pianist with numerous singers and instrumentalists in concert, accompanying such artists as baritone
Rodney Gilfry, cellist Michael Beert and soprano Alba Quezada. He has accompanied the master classes of soprano Renee Fleming, mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade and Broadway performers Carol Burnett,
Johanna Gleason, Barbara Cook and Anthony Crivello.
Mr. Bruneau has recorded with such diverse artists as: Andy Williams, Frederica von Stade, Rod Stewart, Suzanna Guzman, Maureen McGovern, Sylvia McNair, and Rich Del Grosso. His original art songs and choral compositions have been performed in concert venues throughout the United States.
Denis Moreen
Alan Barthel
Principal Accompanist
DENIS MOREEN is pleased to serve as principal accompanist for the California Desert Chorale. Denis has many years of experience performing,
conducting, and teaching in the San Francisco and Chicago areas.
He has served as pianist for many choral groups and musical director for over 100 stage productions, most recently Closer Than Ever in Cathedral City; Musical Chairs: Inka Dinka Doo! in Palm Springs and Palm Desert; and Music Man in Rancho Mirage.
Denis's educational background includes two music degrees from Northwestern University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Stanford University. In addition to teaching high school and college music and theatre courses, Denis spent many years performing as a cabaret open-mike and sing-along pianist. Denis and his partner Rob moved to the Palm Springs area in 2006 to "retire," but finding it hard to say no, Denis now serves as pianist for CDC and as conductor of the seniors' chorus at The Fountains at the Carlotta, in addition to accompanying a variety of Coachella Valley cabaret singers.
Denis and Rob want to thank everyone in the community for being so welcoming, and they are still looking forward to "retirement."
Children's Choir Director
ALAN BARTHEL, Director of California Desert Chorale Childrens Chorus, was born in 1944 in Lubbock, Texas, and moved to Oklahoma at the age of two. He studied piano with Nancy Ragsdale at Oklahoma City University, and received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1968. Alan took his Master of Music Education degree from the Manhattan School of Music, New York, NY, in 1972.
Alan took Master Classes with Guy Frazier Harrison, former conductor of the Oklahoma City Symphony and Chorus, and Margaret Hillis, nationally known choral conductor.
Alan was a classroom piano instructor at the Manhattan School of Music, as well as being a vocal coach for several years in New York, NY. He then was the Vocal Music, Choir, and General Music Director at the Robert E. Bell Middle School in Chappaqua, NY, from 1972-1979. Subsequently, Alan moved to Southern California, where he taught choral music for the Garden Grove Unified School District, grades 4-8, until his retirement from teaching in 2006. After having lived part-time in the Coachella Valley for three years, Alan moved to Rancho Mirage full-time two years ago, and was pleased to spend 2007 as the Musical Director for the Joslyn Theater in Palm Desert. His performance in Tomfoolery was especially notable for his entertaining solo rendition of The Old Dope Peddler!
Alan was honored to be chosen as a member of "Who's Who in American Young Men" and "Outstanding Teachers in America."
Board of Directors
Tiffany Chapman
Rick Eisenhart
David Hertsgaard
Rebecca Hertsgaard
Linda Lord
Sam Maggio
Marty Pyle
Rick Shaffner
Nancy Williams
Gordon Wolf
TIFFANY CHAPMAN is a Customer Service Manager at Union Bank, having been in the banking business for over six years. She is extremely active in volunteer work, serving at the Fullerton Police Department as a Certified Domestic Violence Victim Advocate; while living in Aspen, Colorado, she worked for the RESPONSE Team, a 24-hour service aiding victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. For the past two years Tiffany has also been a member of the Board of Directors of the Anaheim Ballet, assisting with that organization's ongoing fundraising efforts. She is also an enthusiastic volunteer for Junior Achievement, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the American Cancer Society. Tiffany is currently the Box Office Manager for the California Desert Chorale, a position she has held for the past three years. In addition, Tiffany occasionally performs extra duty as the sound engineer for the folk trio, Ol' Doc Rickenbeck.
TIFFANY CHAPMAN is a Customer Service Manager at Union Bank, having been in the banking business for over six years. She is extremely active in volunteer work, serving at the Fullerton Police Department as a Certified Domestic Violence Victim Advocate; while living in Aspen, Colorado, she worked for the RESPONSE Team, a 24-hour service aiding victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
For the past two years Tiffany has also been a member of the Board of Directors of the Anaheim Ballet, assisting with that organization's ongoing fundraising efforts. She is also an enthusiastic volunteer for Junior Achievement, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the American Cancer Society. Tiffany is currently the Box Office Manager for the California Desert Chorale, a position she has held for the past three years. In addition, Tiffany occasionally performs extra duty as the sound engineer for the folk trio, Ol' Doc Rickenbeck.
Back To Board of Directors
RICK EISENHART is beginning his sixth season as a tenor with the Chorale. He sits on the Board of Directors as Immediate Past President and current chair of the Marketing/Development Committee. He is the Rick of the Ol Doc Rickenbeck folk trio, and also sings in several close-harmony groups . Rick is employed as a real estate agent and one of his hobbies is golf, but he says that hed much rather be singing full-time! Rick believes that music has amazing powerI can't imagine my life without it!
RICK EISENHART is beginning his sixth season as a tenor with the Chorale. He sits on the Board of Directors as Immediate Past President and current chair of the Marketing/Development Committee. He is the Rick of the Ol Doc Rickenbeck folk trio, and also sings in several close-harmony groups .
Rick is employed as a real estate agent and one of his hobbies is golf, but he says that hed much rather be singing full-time! Rick believes that music has amazing powerI can't imagine my life without it!
DAVID HERTSGAARD, bass, has been with the Chorale for three-and-one-half years (he calls himself a fallen tenor!). He is the Ol Doc in the folk trio, Ol Doc Rickenbeck, and sits on the Board of Directors as Logistics Director. David was privileged to sing in the St. Olaf College Choir in Northfield, Minnesota, under the direction of both Olaf Christiansen andKenneth Jennings. He is a semi-retired radiologist who spent his career as Chief of Nuclear Medicine at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange CA. He loves to sing, play golf and snow ski, and is interested in World War II and Civil War history. He holds a pilots license and enjoys flying. David solemnly declares: I pledge to attempt to maintain dignity at all timesor whenever possible!
DAVID HERTSGAARD, bass, has been with the Chorale for three-and-one-half years (he calls himself a fallen tenor!). He is the Ol Doc in the folk trio, Ol Doc Rickenbeck, and sits on the Board of Directors as Logistics Director. David was privileged to sing in the St. Olaf College Choir in Northfield, Minnesota, under the direction of both Olaf Christiansen and
Kenneth Jennings. He is a semi-retired radiologist who spent his career as Chief of Nuclear Medicine at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange CA. He loves to sing, play golf and snow ski, and is interested in World War II and Civil War history. He holds a pilots license and enjoys flying. David solemnly declares: I pledge to attempt to maintain dignity at all timesor whenever possible!
President
REBECCA HERTSGAARD came to the Chorale nearly four years ago as an "alto who really wants to be a tenor. She is President of the Board of Directors and sings in the folk trio, Ol Doc Rickenbeck.Rebecca was a nurse for many years, and ran her own medical transcription service while completing undergraduate and advanced degrees in philosophy and religion. She now teaches several religion/philosophy classes at College of the Desert.Rebeccas hobbies include photography, golf, skiing, crocheting, writing, and reading books on mountaineering and philosophy. She believes that "music is the oxygen of our infinity," and extends to everyone a peaceful "Namaste"--"my world meets your world, and I recognize the spark of the divine in you."
REBECCA HERTSGAARD came to the Chorale nearly four years ago as an "alto who really wants to be a tenor. She is President of the Board of Directors and sings in the folk trio, Ol Doc Rickenbeck.
Rebecca was a nurse for many years, and ran her own medical transcription service while completing undergraduate and advanced degrees in philosophy and religion. She now teaches several religion/philosophy classes at College of the Desert.
Rebeccas hobbies include photography, golf, skiing, crocheting, writing, and reading books on mountaineering and philosophy. She believes that "music is the oxygen of our infinity," and extends to everyone a peaceful "Namaste"--"my world meets your world, and I recognize the spark of the divine in you."
Treasurer
LINDA LORD has been singing with California Desert Chorale for five years, in both the soprano and alto sections. Linda sang with the Riverside Master Chorale for 28 years. She is a Registered Dental Assistant, a bookkeeper, and a Notary Public, and is the Treasurer of the Chorales Board of Directors.Lindas hobbies include, besides the Renaissance Festival, in which she participates every year, music and being a ham radio operator. Linda says that, To have music is to live fully!
LINDA LORD has been singing with California Desert Chorale for five years, in both the soprano and alto sections. Linda sang with the Riverside Master Chorale for 28 years. She is a Registered Dental Assistant, a bookkeeper, and a Notary Public, and is the Treasurer of the Chorales Board of Directors.
Lindas hobbies include, besides the Renaissance Festival, in which she participates every year, music and being a ham radio operator. Linda says that, To have music is to live fully!
SAM MAGGIO's career in advertising, marketing and management spans wellover a decade. A non-singer, he leads the Chorale Board's Marketing and Publicity committee. Sam founded Maggio Marketing & Media in order to combine his operational expertise with his passion for the people & projects the agency invests in. Sam has orchestrated and implemented advertising and public relations projects for a broad range of wholesale and commercial clients and is proud to utilize his experience with the Chorale."The key to successful marketing is finding the motivation and direction within the client, and then finding the right communications to execute a strategic plan."
SAM MAGGIO's career in advertising, marketing and management spans well
over a decade. A non-singer, he leads the Chorale Board's Marketing and Publicity committee.
Sam founded Maggio Marketing & Media in order to combine his operational expertise with his passion for the people & projects the agency invests in. Sam has orchestrated and implemented advertising and public relations projects for a broad range of wholesale and commercial clients and is proud to utilize his experience with the Chorale.
"The key to successful marketing is finding the motivation and direction within the client, and then finding the right communications to execute a strategic plan."
Secretary
MARTHA PYLE has been singing soprano with the Chorale for five years. Marty sang with Robert Shaw for two years, and has performed extensively in musical shows and summer stock. Her favorite role was that of Rosabella in Most Happy Fella. Marty also sang with Johnny Mann in special musical shows. Marty owned an antiques shop in Monterey before retiring to the desert. Marty joyfully exclaims, It is music that fills the heart and soul!
RICK SCHAFFNER, bass, joined the Chorale in 2008. He has performed with a variety of choral groups including the Inland MasterChorale in Redlands and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. He has been a church soloist in Riverside, Loma Linda, and here in the desert, but has also performed with the Canyon Lake Fine Arts series and the Redlands Symphony. On his days off from his "day job" as a dentist in Rancho Mirage, he might be found in Moab, Utah, riding his mountain bike over some very big rocks. But he can't stay away from civilization too long because he'd miss good choral music! "It communicates so powerfully."
RICK SCHAFFNER, bass, joined the Chorale in 2008. He has performed with a variety of choral groups including the Inland Master
Chorale in Redlands and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. He has been a church soloist in Riverside, Loma Linda, and here in the desert, but has also performed with the Canyon Lake Fine Arts series and the Redlands Symphony. On his days off from his "day job" as a dentist in Rancho Mirage, he might be found in Moab, Utah, riding his mountain bike over some very big rocks. But he can't stay away from civilization too long because he'd miss good choral music! "It communicates so powerfully."
Co-Founder / Vice President
NANCY WILLIAMS: Music has been a part of Nancys life since the age of 7 when she started piano lessons. All through her school years she was involved in musicals, singing and dancing. After receiving her BA from the University of California Santa Barbara in music history, theory and piano performance, Nancy taught elementary school for 30 years. Twenty-four of those years were in the Diablo Valley (San Francisco East Bay) where she appeared as soloist and choral singer with the Master Chorale. Nancy was guest soloist with the Diablo Valley College Orchestra and the Contra Costa Performing Arts Society for many seasons. She studied voice with Byron Graber and Isabelle Goeser, both in the San Francisco Bay area, for 20 years. For 50 years she was involved with church choirs in Concord and La Cañada. After moving to the desert 16 years ago Nancy had the privilege of meeting Jackie Doyle and together they founded the California Desert Chorale. Music isnt her total life, though. Golf, P.E.O., church, and weaving take up the rest of her good life. Nancy writes, I want to thank my husband, Richard, for his support through all my crazy endeavors.
NANCY WILLIAMS: Music has been a part of Nancys life since the age of 7 when she started piano lessons. All through her school years she was involved in musicals, singing and dancing.
After receiving her BA from the University of California Santa Barbara in music history, theory and piano performance, Nancy taught elementary school for 30 years. Twenty-four of those years were in the Diablo Valley (San Francisco East Bay) where she appeared as soloist and choral singer with the Master Chorale. Nancy was guest soloist with the Diablo Valley College Orchestra and the Contra Costa Performing Arts Society for many seasons. She studied voice with Byron Graber and Isabelle Goeser, both in the San Francisco Bay area, for 20 years.
For 50 years she was involved with church choirs in Concord and La Cañada. After moving to the desert 16 years ago Nancy had the privilege of meeting Jackie Doyle and together they founded the California Desert Chorale. Music isnt her total life, though. Golf, P.E.O., church, and weaving take up the rest of her good life. Nancy writes, I want to thank my husband, Richard, for his support through all my crazy endeavors.
Gordon D. Wolf, bass, joined the Chorale in 2009, after singing for the Caballeros for 10 years and serving as President of the Board of Directors. He joined the Board of Directors of California Desert Chorale in January, 2010. Gordon performed at Carnegie Hall with the Hanover College Choir, and was a long-time member of the Swarthmore Presbyterian Chancel Choir. Gordon moved to the desert after 35 years as a management consultant for Towers Perrin in New York City. He loves traveling and various craft activities. Gordon writes, Singing is a fundamental part of my life and I am delighted to be a member of this talented group!
Children's Choir
California Desert Chorale Children's Choir is under the direction of Mr. Alan Barthel. For information, call (760) 346-4933, or email us.
Hear Us
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See Us
An eclectic grouping of choral arrangements of songs by five timeless musical icons
• The classical brilliance of Franz Schubert
• The groundbreaking musical theater songs of Stephen Sondheim
• Three decades of popular tunes by Paul Simon and Carly Simon
• The enduring standards of local legend, Frank Sinatra
Featuring an instrumental ensemble of strings and brass and
California Desert Chorale Children's Choir
Including such hit songs as Send In The Clowns,
Bridge Over Troubled Water, You're So Vain and New York, New York.
April Performances at
Indian Wells Theater, Palm Desert Campus
Cal State San Bernardino
37-500 Cook Street, Palm Desert
Advance Tickets: $22 • Tickets At The Door: $25
SPECIAL MAY ENCORE PERFORMANCE
Our Savior's Palm Springs
1020 E. Ramon Road, Palm Springs
CONCERT DATES
April 8 - 7:00 pm
April 10 - 7:00 pm
April 11 - 3:00 pm
May 2 - 3:00 pm
RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW!
(760) 346-4933
(OR CLICK EMAIL BUTTON BELOW)
Buy Tickets
California Desert Chorale Video - Part 1
California Desert Chorale Video - Part 2
Coming Soon!
Join Us
AUDITIONS
Audition for the valley's premiere choral ensemble:
California Desert Chorale, celebrating its 15th season, holds individual auditions for singers in all sections throughout the year. The Chorale rehearses every Monday evening from September through April under Artistic Director Tim Bruneau, and performs a wide variety of fine choral music in venues throughout the Coachella Valley.
INTERNSHIPS
In 2003, the California Desert Chorale Board began its formal internship program for High School Juniors and Seniors who are concurrently engaged in a school choral program. This program provides mentors for those who are accepted in to a coordinated group of activities with the Chorale as a whole. Costumes, music folders and music are provided. The interns function as regular members of the performing Chorale with all the benefits and privileges of regular chorale members. This results in a dual benefit. Each intern is mentored by experienced musicians who offer their counsel with respect to musical endeavors. The interns are inculcated with the appropriate attitude to be able to produce beautiful music in wonderful venues and to spread the joy of music through their vocal gifts.
Entry into the internship program requires an audition with the Artistic Director.
Please call (760) 346-4933 or email us for more information, or to schedule an audition.
More Info
Help Us
Celebrating 15 Seasons Of Bueatiful Music
California Desert Chorale is a nonprofit charitable organization. Ticket sales cover less than one-third of our expenses. We rely on the support of you, our generous friends. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to help us present programs of high quality at reasonable prices.
The Chorale is record size this season - over 60 singers strong - and our musicianship and performance quality have grown by leaps and bounds. The generosity of our donors has sustained us through our first 15 years, and particularly in these challenging economic times, we are more than grateful for the opportunity to grow and prosper - and to continue doing what we love: singing beautiful music.
A new method we are now able to employ, which might interest you, is gifts of appreciated securities. We also have a "wish list" of specific needs and special giving opportunities which we would be happy to discuss with you.
President's Circle ............. $2,500 and up
Composer's Circle ................ $500 - $999
Donor .................................. $100 - $249
Director's Circle ........ $1,000 - $2,499
Patron............................ $250 - $499
Affiliate .............................. $50- $99
Mail Donations To:
California Desert Chorale
P.O. Box 2716
Palm Desert, CA 92261
Call or Email For More Info
Contact Us
Please feel free to contact California Desert Chorale with questions or comments by calling or emailing
a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization
Palm Desert, CA 92261-2716
Coming This April!
Artistic Staff
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