www.pacific-chorale.org/john.htm -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 9/30/2003
Last Visited: 9/30/2003
JOHN ALEXANDER RECEIVES 1999 OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL ARTIST AWARD FROM ARTS ORANGE COUNTY
Alexander honored in the inaugural presentation of the Orange County Arts Awards
Santa Ana, CA - Pacific Chorale Artistic Director John Alexander has been named the 1999 Outstanding Individual Artist by Arts Orange County.Arts Orange County, the nonprofit countywide arts council, created the Orange County Arts Awards to recognize individuals and organizations whose achievements have made a major difference in the growth and development of the Orange County arts scene (the event, held Thursday, May 11th, was the inaugural presentation).Consideration was given to individuals and organizations who have demonstrated leadership, inspired and educated others, developed unique partnerships and collaborations, committed time, energy and resources, and made outstanding contributions to the field and to the cultural life of the Orange County community.
John Alexander has been Artistic Director of Pacific Chorale since 1971.During his tenure, Pacific Chorale has become one of the 10 largest budgeted choruses in the United States, paying almost one-half million dollars annually to Orange County¹s working artists.Alexander is also integral to the creation and expansion of Pacific Chorale¹s award-winning educational outreach programs ‹ the most extensive of any choral organization in North America.It is through Alexander¹s vision and leadership that Pacific Chorale is recognized as one of America¹s finest choral organizations.
Alexander¹s professional music career began at the age of 13 when he was appointed to the position of Organist/Choirmaster of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Florida, and soon after was appointed Director of Music at St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church in Florida.At age 25, Alexander was appointed to the faculty of California State University, Fullerton, and one year later assumed a similar position at California State University, Northridge (in 1994, Alexander returned to CSU Fullerton).At age 28, Alexander was hired as the Artistic Director/Conductor of the Irvine Master Chorale (known today as Pacific Chorale).Alexander foresaw the opportunity of eventually establishing an outstanding professional ensemble in Orange County, a community just awakening to its artistic potential.In a matter of a few years, Alexander transformed this ensemble into one of the major artistic organizations in Southern California.
...
After performing for years in local high school and community auditoriums, Alexander saw an opportunity for growth in membership and audience, and was integral to Pacific Chorale¹s move of its performance home to the soon-to-be-built Orange County Performing Arts Center.Pacific Chorale now produces its own series of choral/orchestral concerts each year at The Center, and is also the resident chorus for the Pacific Symphony Orchestra.
The same year as the Center¹s opening, Alexander again saw an opportunity for Pacific Chorale to better serve the community by offering enriching educational programs to youth and young adults.In 1997, those efforts were recognized with the national Educational Outreach Award, presented to Pacific Chorale by Chorus America.
In 1995, seeing an opportunity to enhance the financial health of the Chorale, Alexander procured a $1 million contribution, which was placed in an Endowment Fund.Now at over $2.3 million, Pacific Chorale¹s Endowment Fund has ensured the continuance of the Chorale¹s programs and services into the next millennium.
During his tenure with Pacific Chorale, John Alexander has served as guest conductor for prestigious orchestras throughout the United States, the former Soviet Union, Europe and South America, as well as locally with Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.Equally versatile whether on the podium, or behind the scenes, Alexander has prepared choruses for numerous conductors including Seiji Ozawa, Leonard Slatkin, Zubin Mehta, Pierre Boulez, Lucas Foss, Keith Lockhart, Michael Tilson Thomas, Gerard Schwarz and Max Rudolf.
...
Alexander is nationally recognized for his leadership in the musical and organizational development of the performing arts.In 1993, he was elected to the board of Chorus America, the national service organization for choruses, and currently serves on its executive committee.Alexander also frequently serves on the artistic review panel for the California Arts Council.
Alexander¹s commitment to broadening the accessibility of music education is evidenced by his participation in festivals, symposia and workshops throughout the United States.He has served as Conductor-in-Residence for seminars in New Mexico and North Carolina as well as California State University¹s Annual Summer Arts program in Humbolt and in Long Beach.In 1998, Alexander and conductor Jorge Mester created the California Conducting Symposium, a collaboration between Chorus America and California State University, Fullerton, which integrated choral and orchestral conducting techniques.
...
In July 2000, Alexander will serve as guest conductor for the acclaimed Berkshire Choral Festival in Sheffield, Massachusetts.
...
Through a lifetime of dedication to the arts, Alexander has preserved the legacy of choral music and music education in Orange County for generations to come.
[ Home | About PC | John Alexander | Season | Program Notes | What's New? | Press Releases ]
...
Artistic Director of Pacific Chorale since 1972, John Alexander has consistently received acclaim by critics and audiences for his inspired conducting.He has conducted his singers with orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, the former Soviet Union and South America and, closer to home, with Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.Equally versatile whether on the podium or behind the scenes, Alexander has prepared choruses for many of the world's most outstanding orchestral conductors, including Seiji Ozawa, Leonard Slatkin, Zubin Mehta, EsaPekka Salonen, Pierre Boulez, Lukas Foss, Keith Lockhart, Michael Tilson Thomas, Gerard Schwarz, John Mauceri and Max Rudolf.Alexander has prepared both Verdi's and Mozart's Requiem for Jorge Mester and the Mexico City Philharmonic.Alexander's achievements were recognized in 2000 with Arts Orange County's "Outstanding Individual Artist" Award.
Alexander is nationally recognized for his leadership in the musical and organizational development of the performing arts.In 1993, he was elected to the board of Chorus America, the national service organization for choruses.In June 2001, he began serving a two year term as President of Chorus America.Alexander also provides board consultations to choruses nationally and frequently serves on the artistic review panel for the California Arts Council.
Alexander's professional and student choirs have been featured at numerous national conferences for conductors and music educators.Appearances in this capacity by Pacific Chorale and the John Alexander Singers have included conferences in New Orleans, Arizona, San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles.A dedicated music educator himself, Alexander became Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at California State University, Fullerton in 1994, after serving in a similar capacity at California State University, Northridge, for 25 years.
Alexander has conducted in festivals, symposia and workshops throughout the world.In 1998, Alexander and conductor Jorge Mester created the California Conducting Symposium, a collaboration between Chorus America and CSU, Fullerton, which integrates choral and orchestral conducting techniques.In July 2000, Alexander served as guest conductor for the acclaimed Berkshire Choral Festival in Sheffield, Massachusetts, and for the past two summers, he has taught conducting at the KeeneFest in Kent, Connecticut.Alexander is the composer of several choral works, all published by Hinshaw Music, including Musica, Our Father, In Praise of Music, and (forthcoming) Sweet Harmony and This Time of Kites.He is also the editor of the John Alexander Choral Series, which includes some of his own compositions as well as music by Frank Ticheli and Jan Sanborn.
[ Home | About PC | John Alexander | Season | Program Notes | Job Opportunities | Press Releases ]
104 online sources [ view sources ]
Profile is not claimed [ claim profile ]
