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  • Spring Concert Schedule 2024 "Music for Generations: A tribute to Gary Lamprecht"

    sponsored by Joan G. Sargen

     

     

    Upcoming Events

     

    Thursday, May 2nd 2024 at 7:00pm at the Trilogy at Monarch Dunes

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    WE SUPPORT PROPOSITION 28 ( art & music k-12 Education funding initiative )

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    A Message From Kate Albert (Exectutive Director) Regarding The Passing Of Founder Gary Lamprecht

     

    Dear Friends,

    It’s with great sadness I relay the passing of Gary Lamprecht, beloved Musical Director of the San Luis Obispo Vocal Arts Ensemble for 47 years. Gary Established the choir in 1977 and developed it to become an internationally acclaimed choir, especially recognized for its dynamic repertoire. His song selections were legendary…. The music, a combination of traditional and classic songs sprinkled with surprising delights from past centuries and other lands. His concerts built bridges of understanding between people. Gary believed that music could bring people together, calm our anxious hearts, and bring hope for a better world. In addition to being a choir leader, Gary taught music and choir at both San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay High Schools for over 34 years. Gary and Cricket Handler brought the San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay High Combined Concert Choir twice to New York City. In 2003, they travelled with 144 students to give three performances at the American Choral Directors Association National Convention attended by 6,000 delegates and returned in 2005 with 122 students which was one of 3 choirs selected from around the county to participate in the inaugural year of this prestigious festival.

    Gary strived for excellence from his students and from his singers in Vocal Arts. He established the Central Coast Choral Festival which brings together high school and junior high school choirs from all over California to perform on a professional stage at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center.

     

    Touching the lives of thousands of students and giving them a voice amongst their peers, Gary believed that music could heal the spirit.

     

    In furtherance of his goal to enhance music education in the county, the Gary and Patricia Lamprecht Music Education Endowment was established to award yearly scholarships to seniors in San Luis Obispo County who excel in choral music and orchestral strings.

     

    Gary shared with us his love of choral music and brought us the gift of song to enrich our lives. He built a family in Vocal Arts, one that will carry on his memory. He taught us that together we can create a more harmonious world by singing from the heart…

    Rest in peace dear Gary.

     

    Donations to Vocal Arts Ensemble, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, in Gary’s name can be mailed to Vocal Arts Ensemble PO Box 4306 San Luis Obispo CA 93403. Please indicate if you would like to donate to the Vocal Arts general fund or to the Gary and Patricia Lamprecht Music Education Endowment.

    Past Reflections from our Founder and Musical Director, Gary Lamprecht

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    When the world was confronted by Covid 19, we suddenly found that as a choir we could no longer be in the same room and sing together. After more than 40 years of rehearsing and performing together, all of a sudden we were cautioned that it could be dangerous, and even life threatening.

     

    Through abstaining, we found that singing in the choir, especially on a daily or weekly basis gave us satisfaction by striving to achieve a collective goal. But more important than that, singing reinforces our need for belonging, for belonging to something bigger than ourselves. We found that we missed something we all took for granted.

     

    Scientists have shown that people singing in a choir breathe together in a unique rhythm that is shared by all in a special bonding experience. That is something that we all have missed in the past two years. It took this pandemic to make us realize that we NEED this repeated experience for happiness and a feeling of well being.

     

    Over the years many patrons have expressed how emotional our choir makes them feel. It’s the reason that we memorize all our repertoire. And that’s no easy task. We are free to show a deep understanding of the literature and convey it to our audience. We connect emotionally with them in this shared experience.

    A Message from Kate Albert, Executive Director

    Dear Patrons and Friends,

    We welcome you to our Spring concert season in celebration of Gary Lamprecht. The Spring concert series "Music for Generations - a tribute to Gary Lamprecht" will include Gary's favorite songs through the ages and be conducted by the lovely and talented Melody Svennungsen. A special appearance of the Central Coast Youth Chorus will enliven the offerings and be of special interest to younger audience members. Consider bringing the whole family for a bonding experience through music. Join us to celebrate a life fully lived and fully loved. See you in May...

     

  • Get Involved with Vocal Arts

    "Singing has always seemed to me the most perfect means of expression." - Georgia O'Keefe

    unknown; unknown; unknown; Pia Laurie; Rocky DelLamas

    Volunteer

    Consider Ushering

    Vocal Arts is always in need of volunteers to help us execute our concerts and special events. Ushers arrive about one hour before concert time and are finished about 20 minutes after the concert, and receive a complimentary seat at the concert as a thank you for their assistance. We also seek community members to join our Board of Directors periodically. Contact Kate@vocalarts.org or call 805-541-6797 to learn more or to sign up.

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    Audition Info

    Sing with Us

    The Vocal Arts is an award winning choir with members who are passionate about choral music. Singers must memorize the music and commit to a rehearsal schedule typically Tuesday evenings once a week at Morro Bay High School. If you are interested in joining our group, please download the Member Guidelines and review. Next open audition for all singing parts will be held Tuesday August 27, 2024 at 6:00 pm. by appointment only.

    CLICK HERE FOR AUDITION INFO

    CLICK HERE FOR MEMBER GUIDELINES

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    Youth Music Education

    Developing The Next Generation

    To further our mission of choral excellence in the schools, The Gary & Patricia Lamprecht Education Endowment was established in 2017 in recognition of our 40th anniversary. The endowment provides for scholarships in the areas of choral music and orchestral strings. Each year we award a $1000 scholarship to two local high school seniors to continue their education in music. Deadline to apply for the scholarship is Friday, March 29. Over $9000 in local scholarships have been awarded to deserving seniors.

     

    To donate to the endowment, please mail your check, written to "United Way of SLO County" with "Lamprecht Endowment" in subject line, to Vocal Arts PO Box 4306 SLO CA 93403

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    Speakers Bureau

    Chorale members of San Luis Obispo Vocal Arts Ensemble are available to speak to your organization!

     

    The Vocal Arts Ensemble is a volunteer based Chorale group of 37 members who have created an internationally acclaimed Community Choir led by Musical Director Gary Lamprecht. We provide lively presentations for civic groups around the county. We showcase our educational programs as well as upcoming concerts. Most talks are from 30 to 45 minutes but can accommodate other needs.

     

    Possible topics include:

     

    The importance of Choral music in the schools, showcasing our Central Coast Choir Festival in March. The Pat and Gary Lamprecht Endowment awarding music scholarships to deserving high school students in San Luis Obispo County, and presentations on our three concert series during the year.

     

    Talks are free of charge but donations are accepted via our website!

     

    Please contact (805) 541 6797 and leave a message with name of organization, date of event and contact information.

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    Donate to Vocal Arts Today!

    Give The Gift of Song

    Vocal Arts is dependent on your generous donations to continue our mission. We are a 501(c)(3) non profit organization and your donation is fully tax deductible. Your financial support allows us to rent concert venues, produce promotional material and cover operating expenses.

    • Consider adding us to your estate plan
    • Consider sponsoring a singer for $175 for the year.

    Donate via Paypal @sanluisobispovocalartsensemble - use credit/debit cards or your account

    Mail a check to "Vocal Arts Ensemble"

    PO Box 4306 San Luis Obispo, CA 93403

  • What Our Fans Say

    Music replays the past memories, awaken our forgotten worlds and make our minds travel

    - Michael Bassey Johnson

    Judith, Cambria, CA

    "Vocal Arts is a community treasure!"

    Cindy, Atascadero, CA

    "Their performance moved me to tears!"

    Mary Ann, Pismo Beach, CA

    "Vocal Arts Concerts always bring out every emotion in me; tears, laughter, a feeling of peace, such a special experience."

    Mark, Santa Maria, CA

    "Fabulous talent that never disappoints."

  • Get Involved with Vocal Arts

    Sing With Us - Volunteer With Us - Donate To Us 

    San Luis Obispo, CA
    By Appointment only
    805-541-6797
  • Connect With Us

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