In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument
Home | Doo Wop | Barbershop | World | Contemporary | Christian | Vocal Jazz | Choral | Christmas | Instructional | Arrangements
Classical | Opera | Musicals | Personality | Young Singers | Disney | Videos | Songs | The Artists
Occidental Community Choir History
Back in 1978, on Christmas Eve, a group of musically-minded souls from the hills surrounding Occidental, California gathered around a campfire in the center of town to sing carols. We didn't want to go home, so we started a choir. Perhaps not surprisingly, we named it the Occidental Community Choir (OCC). The earliest known picture of the choir, from 1983, with director Allaudin Mathieu Through the decades the choir has solidified its reputation for excellence by producing unique concert experiences that combine humor, storytelling, poetry, varied instrumental accompaniment, and an off-the-beaten-path repertoire. Our mission is both simple and clear: To create, collaborate in performing, and in promoting great music, much of itcomposed by our members. We mentor and support one another in developing our skills as singers, lyricists and composers. Our music encompasses a wide range of personal experience and reflects the authentic connection we have with one another and the larger community. The OCC has been fortunate to have had a succession of highly talented, passionate and dedicated leaders over the years. Long-time choir followers will remember with affection and respect the work of Philip Rolnick, Allaudin Mathieu, Doug Bowes, Daniel Canosa, and Andy DelMonte. In 2017, long-time OCC choir member and former director, Sarah Saulsbury, once again became our music director. For the past few years the choir has worked in partnership with the Occidental Center for the Arts to realize the dream of finally creating a permanent home for the OCC-and a venue for all the arts-in the town of Occidental. The dream came to fruition at Harmony Village, the former site of Harmony School, a development of live/work units created by developer Orrin Thiessen, who generously donated a portion of this property to the OCA.. To learn more about this thriving arts hub to life in West County, please visit the OCA website. |
Select a Category |
Want to Sing? - Find a Chorus Near You
List of Choruses by State | List of Choruses by City