Spring & Summer Concert Schedule 2023
Please note: Date change
Note: Change of Concert Date:
Classic summer tunes & reveries!
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.
A Message from Kate Stulberg, our Executive Director
Dear Patrons and Friends,
We appreciate your patronage immensely. Without our audience there would be no Vocal Arts Ensemble. We are pleased to begin the summer season with our "Welcome to Summer" concert series. Kicking off the series our 34 member choir will perform at the elegant and accessible Trilogy Monarch Dunes on Thursday, June 1 at 7:00 p.m. Wine and beverages will be served at intermission. Our next concert will be on Saturday, June 3, at 3:00 p.m. at the Cuesta PAC in San Luis Obispo. Free parking at both locations. Come celebrate the Summer with song!
Youth Music Education
Central Coast Choral Festival
26 years strong!
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. Local judges give important feedback to choir directors and students and its a chance for students to perform on a professional stage. This year we hosted 40 schools and 1,307 students from elementary school to high school. Eleven schools took home engraved plaques for choral excellence.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE NEXT Central Coast Choral Festival 2024. Cal Poly Performing Arts Center. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. March 21-22. More detail to follow.
The Gary & Patricia Lamprecht Endowment
Additionally, to further our mission of choral excellence in the schools, The Gary & Patricia Lamprecht Music Education Endowment was established in 2017 in recognition of the 40th anniversary of Voca Arts Ensemble. The endowment provides for scholarships in the areas of choral music and orchestral strings. Each year we award a $1000 scholarship to up to two local high school seniors to continue their education in music.
This year Matilda Bravante of Morro Bay High School won for choral music. She was a stand out! Congratulations Matilda! Matilda will be accepting her scholarship on Saturday, June 3 at Cuesta Performing Arts Center Welcome to Summer concert.
Last year Colin Guan of San Luis Obispo High School won for orchestral strings. Hannah Snow of Heartland Charter School in Santa Maria won for choral music.
Applications are sent to local high schools choir and music directors and are DUE by March 31st to qualify. Must be a senior. For more information please contact Kate Stulberg, Executive Director, Vocal Arts Ensemble, (805) 541-6797, or kate@vocalarts.org
Here's more about Matilda:
My name is Matilda and I am a graduating senior at Morro Bay High. I have loved music and expression my entire life. I have been singing and playing various instruments since the age of 6 with private lessons in piano and singing. I
found joy in so many more instruments but the most in my voice. After graduation I will be attending Cuesta College where I plan to continue private singing lessons centered around Jazz and continue working and developing my
voice along with playing gigs with my band and joining Cuesta's Jazz Choir.
Thank you so much for this opportunity. It has been an honor!
Prior recipients:
Hannah Snow- "I am so thankful for this scholarship because I am able to attend Pepperdine University and am pursuing a degree in theater directing. Thank you so very much. I really appreciate the scholarship."
From Colin Guan:
" I am extremely grateful to Vocal Arts and the Lamprechts for helping me reach my potential. I would not be able to attend Columbia University and The Juilliard School without their support!"
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
We are so grateful for the ushers that helped us during our June Concert series. They were a dedicated and elegant group. Vocal Arts is always in need 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 an award winning choir with members who are passionate about choral music. Singers must memorize the music and commit to a rehearsal schedule typically evenings at Morro Bay High School. If you are interested in joining our group, please download the Member Guidelines and review. Next auditions are Tuesday, March 28 at 6:30 pm, at Morro Bay High School. All experienced singers encouraged to audition. Please call Gary Lamprecht at (805) 534-3775. Another audition will be held Tuesday August 29, 2023 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. 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
Donate to SLO Vocal Arts Mission
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 up to rent concert venues, produce promotional material and cover operating expenses.
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
Pat Lamprecht
Tracy Gillson
Rosey Parks
Susannah Fletcher
Melody Svennungsen
Lark Carter
Wendy Lewis
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
Risa Brown
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
Jessamyn Pattison
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
Jim Conroy
Brian Reynolds
Greg Springer
Bob Holzhauer
Dale Wolff
Ralph Lewis
Roy Lovtang
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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