Claremont Chorale

The Claremont Chorale is a community-based choir with a mission to offer experiences of excellent and varied choral music to a diverse audience, fostering inspiration, enjoyment, and education for both singers and listeners. Founded in 1968 as the Lincoln Twenty Chorale by Chris Trussel, the organization has grown to include around sixty volunteer singers from various backgrounds who dedicate their time to weekly rehearsals and performances. Over the past five decades, the Claremont Chorale has established itself as a vital part of the community's cultural life, presenting a wide-ranging international repertoire that spans music from the past five centuries, including major works accompanied by full orchestras, various instrumental ensembles, and a cappella pieces. The choir's commitment to musical diversity is reflected in its concert programming, which has consistently showcased both classical and contemporary works. The Chorale has been under the artistic direction of several conductors throughout its history. Alan Wellman took over as Artistic Director in December 2018, succeeding Gregory Norton, who led the choir from 1993 to 2018. Other past conductors include Donald Brinegar, Dennis Keller, Ted Reed, Scott Bowen, and Hanan Yaqub. In addition to its own concert series, the Claremont Chorale actively engages in collaborative performances. The choir has a history of performing with other musical organizations and has participated in various choral festivals, such as the Seventh International Choral Festival in Puebla, Mexico. It has also taken part in joint projects with several orchestras, concert exchanges with the U.C. Berkeley Alumni Chorus, and numerous collaborative concerts with other area choirs. The Claremont Chorale's dedication to choral excellence and community engagement has made it a cherished institution in the region, providing enriching musical experiences for both its members and the broader audience.