A Note from Our President
As our wonderful 2022-2023 season ends and summer ushers in nostalgia of special memories, I look forward to escaping the heat with travels to catch up with friends and family.
Recently, I watched a video of my 9-year-old great niece. She’d stood up to perform karaoke in front of a restaurant full of people. Impressed with her gusto and talent, I suggested she take music in school, but was met with great disappointment to learn that music isn’t offered in her district until middle school.
It seems my niece’s limited access to music in school is becoming commonplace for many children. Reflecting on the bonds we’ve developed in the Chorale, and the family we’ve become finding strength and love in the music we share, I want more than ever the same for our kids.
I can personally attest that music as a whole and performing in the choir has led me to be more confident, responsible and has always provided a refuge in times of difficulty. With many opportunities widely available to participate in sports that help shape growing bodies, music is a wonderful way to nourish the mind and spirit.
While the Chorale meets over this summer to plan ahead for an exciting 2024 season, I hope we all will also consider supporting the arts in schools. Encourage our youth to take music lessons or join school arts programs where available; show up to concerts, and cheer on performances at home. Perhaps they will become a California Desert Chorale intern, or compete in our annual Scholarship Competition.
In the poignant words of writer Marty Rubin, “To sing is to bring to the surface all the depth of one’s being.”
Julie Williamson
President
A Message from Artistic Director Tim Bruneau
Thank you for taking the time to visit California Desert Chorale’s website. After more than fourteen years as the Artistic Director of this organization, I take great pride in the many achievements of the wonderful group of people who make up our membership and the dedicated, tireless individuals who comprise our Board of Directors. Working together, these people raise collaboration to an art. I remain honored to be leading them to ever higher standards of performance and shepherding their emergence as one of the Coachella Valley’s genuine cultural treasures.
While a number of our members are professional singers, many others are talented, motivated amateurs who bring a wealth of musical education and varied choral experience to our ensemble. I’m convinced that it’s exactly this breadth of experience that allows me to explore an extraordinary variety of choral literature with the Chorale.
Whether you hear California Desert Chorale at one of our main concert series, or at one of our many community service performances for local charities, please take the time to stop and say hello to me and our members afterward. We are, first and foremost, about people working together, and we continually aspire to broaden and strengthen our connection to the people of our own beautiful valley. I invite you to come and witness the grace and humanity reflected on the faces of our members as they perform a piece of great music. You will, without question, be entertained, informed and enriched.
Tim Bruneau
Artistic Director