A Message from our Founder and Musical Director, Gary Lamprecht
Two years ago the world was confronted by Covid 19. Here at home, 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 unique 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.
Today's concert is the culmination of the joy we all feel in bringing this music to you. It’s about the quality of life.
Thank You for helping us celebrate that “We’re Back” !
A Message from Kate Stulberg, our Executive Director
We are back and ready to sing from the heart! We are excited to reunite with our beloved audience in a glorious return to spring and community. We will be performing in Nipomo, San Luis Obispo and Cambria in early June. For 45 years we have given our audiences inspiration, hope and a deep sense of togetherness. We hope you will join us.
The June repertoire is an eclectic and joyous blend of folk, classical, and American spiritual music. Appealing to all age groups, the selection expresses the universality of choral music throughout the ages with the common theme of love and unity. Bring your family and start a new tradition!
We kick off this year's schedule with the Central Coast Choral Festival, produced by Vocal Arts, for over two decades. This exciting event in March brings over 55 school choirs, elementary, middle and high school, from all over California to our beautiful Performing Arts Center of San Luis Obispo, on the Cal Poly campus, to compete in a professionally adjudicated concert.
Youth Music Education
Central Coast Choral Festival
For over two decades, Vocal Arts has produced the Central Coast Choral Festival, which brings over 55 school choirs, elementary, middle and high school, from all over California to the beautiful Performing Arts Center of San Luis Obispo, on the Cal Poly campus, to compete in a professionally adjudicated concert. This year we hosted 34 schools from all over the state Friday, March 18, 2022 at the PAC from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. This joyous festival is free and open to the public and over 1000 people attended! We awarded 7 plaques to High Schools and Intermediate Schools for "Choral Excellence" this year.
The Gary & Patricia Lamprecht Endowment
Additionally, to further our mission of choral excellence in the schools, The Gary & Patricia Lamprecht 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.
You can encourage choral music excellence in San Luis Obispo County high schools by donating to the Gary and Pat Lamprecht Endowment at United Way. We greatly appreciate it!
Applications are DUE by March 31st to qualify. For more information please contact Kate Stulberg, Executive Director, Vocal Arts Ensemble, (805) 541-6797, or kate@vocalarts.org
Our Mission
About the Award Winning Vocal Arts
Vocal Arts has been performing locally since 1977 and has toured Canada, Spain, South America and Europe, including Russia, Poland and the Czech Republic. Singers in the ensemble are required to pass an annual vocal audition to qualify for membership. The Board of Directors consists of a mix of singers and community members, as well as the Executive Director and Music Director.
From 2007 to 2013, the Vocal Arts produced the California International Choral Festival and Competition (CICF) with thousands of singers from around the world visiting San Luis Obispo and performing at the Harold Miossi Hall, Performing Arts Center. On our 40th year, the Board created the Gary & Partricia Lamprecht Music Education Endowment to establish scholarships for local high school seniors who want to pursue an advanced degree in music. Vocal Arts also sponsors the Central Coast Spring School Choral Festival, held at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center each year. Between 45-60 school choirs (from elementary to high school) from all over California perform on the main stage of the grand theater, over two days, and received valuable feedback from a panel of adjudicators.
Vocal Arts seeks to deliver the experience of choral music to a wide audience in San Luis Obispo County and beyond our local region through our international touring. Tours are held every other year and usually incorporate a competition or festival. Vocal Arts has secured dozens of medals at choral competitions all over the world, making our organization one of the most decorated performing arts groups in San Luis Obispo County.
Get Involved with Vocal Arts
Volunteer
Vocal Arts is always in need of ushers and 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.
Audition Info
The Vocal Arts is a volunteer organization with members who are passionate about choral music. If you are interested in joining our group, please download the Member Guidelines and review. Next auditions are Tuesday August 30, 2022 by appointment only. Contact Gary via email to get the audition music at:
Youth Music Education
To further our mission of choral excellence in the schools, The Gary & Patricia Lamprecht 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 March 31!
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
Donate to SLO Vocal Arts Mission
The 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.
Donate via Paypal - use credit/debit cards or your account
Mail a check to "Vocal Arts Ensemble"
PO Box 4306 San Luis Obispo, CA 93403
Meet our Staff & Board
Nancy Carter
Kit Hansen
Leslie McKinley
Mary Blythe
Greg Springer
Melody Svennungsen
Barbara Hoff
Lark Carter
Fr. Ian Delinger
Susannah Fletcher
Wendy Lewis
Gael Mueller
Marty Robles
Delia Ruiz
What Our Fans Say
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."
Savana, San Luis Obispo, CA
"I just loved it so much!"
Meet our Singers
Soprano
Cynthia Kennedy
Dawn Spare
Susannah Fletcher
Kris Springer
Lindi Doud
Tracy Gillsen
Rosey Parks
Leslie McKinley
Carol Oelker
Melody Svennungsen
Cheryl Altman
Madeleine Arel
Jessica French
Tracy Gillson
Kathy Hamrick
Andi Swanson
Alto
Dana Fiore
Jessica Devaney
Meghan Behrens
Kit Hansen
Pat Lamprecht
Jeanne Potter
Kathy Wolff
Karen Wilkins
Leigh Tacker
DD Patrick
Wendy Lewis
Amy Sinsheimer
Carol Sinsheimer
Jodi Kondo
Ashala Lawler
Sarah Moore
D'Elaine Patrick
Jeanne Potter
Valerie Tacker
Karen Wilkins
Britta Swearingen
Tenor
Hunter Boaz
John Morrow
Gael Mueller
Renee Dispensa
Mike Patrick
Ty Green
Melodie Rivas
Debbie Anthony
Nancy Carter
Warren Hamrick
Howard Keele
Brian Lawler
Ralph Lewis
John Morrow
Jeff Spevack
Bass/Baritone
Gary Blythe
Steve Reams
Brian Reynolds
Greg Springer
Bob Holzhauer
Dale Wolff
Ralph Lewis
Mark Stengel
Mike Suddarth
Steinar Svennungsen
Dave Bernhardt
Lindsey Burrell
Timothy Guerrero
David Ruiz
Don Swearingen
Get Involved with Vocal Arts
Sing With Us - Volunteer With Us - Donate To Us
Speakers Bureau
Chorale members of San Luis Obispo Vocal Arts Ensemble
are available to speak to your organization.
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