BY DIANA DE CARDENAS
UCLA Today
They come from different ethnic groups, backgrounds
and walks of life — educators, ministers, executives,
students, retirees, alumni and community members. But all share
a common bond: making beautiful music together as members of
the University Campus Choir.
“The enthusiasm of this choir is just
amazing, really electrifying,” said alumna Connie Silver,
a 15-year member. “There’s just something about
singing together and using your voice to produce amazing sounds
that’s very satisfying.”
Since its creation 21 years ago, the choir
has attracted an eclectic group — from college-age students
to senior citizens — who share a love of singing and performing.
Their repertoire of major works, classical pieces, African hymns,
Hebrew love songs, chamber music and folk arrangements is equally
diverse. Every Monday evening, 35-40 members gather at Schoenberg
Hall to blend their voices in tribute to the old masters such
as Bach, Vivaldi and Mozart, and to more contemporary composers
such as Eric Whitacre, Andrew Rose and Ned Rorem.
On Dec. 8, the choir — under the direction
of its new conductor Diane Rose — will present its annual
holiday concert, highlighting a mix of modern and early Christmas
and Hanukkah music, at St. Alban’s Church in Westwood.
“Tastes vary among conductors, and each
one likes to bring a different repertoire that represents his
or her own musical style and interests,” said Rose, who
in September became the choir’s fourth conductor. “What
I hope to bring to this group is a new energy and spice.
“I feel that choirs sometimes get dusty because their
repertoires are oftentimes repeated over and over,” Rose
added.
The choir, which accepts anyone who can carry
a tune, is made up mainly of amateur singers, many of whom have
formal training. While some members are pianists, flutists,
buglers and drummers, there are others who cannot read music.
The group has performed in New York’s Carnegie Hall, in
Ireland and the Czech Republic, as well as throughout Los Angeles.
They’ve sung before audiences in hospitals, museums, churches
and schools, as well as at many campus functions.
With no funding source, members depended on
annual dues and fundraisers to help defray the cost of performances.
Just last year, the choir achieved nonprofit status, allowing
them to solicit funds from the business and corporate communities.
It’s all a melodious labor of love for
the singers. While membership has declined over the last decade,
the choir continues to flourish, thanks to a core group of longtime
loyalists.
“We are just not willing to let it die,”
said Patricia Gilmore, a lecturer in UCLA’s Writing Program
and a choir member since 1982. “This has meant so much
to so many of us. The people are really the glue that has kept
this group together and made it so special.”
The choir, which Gilmore calls the “best-kept
secret on campus,” has become like a family for many of
its members, with a commitment that is rare in other choral
groups.
Nobody embodies that commitment more than founding
member Margaret Zamorano, a minister and former UCLA employee.
In her 21 years with the choir, she has missed only two rehearsals
and one concert due to illness.
“My heart is truly committed to this
choir, and I hope to belong here for however long I will be
on this Earth.”
For information on tickets to the holiday concert
or details on how to become a member of the choir, call (310)
820-8503.
