Music to our Ears

It was a decidedly busy night when Santa Barbara Choral Society held a kick-off reception for its 72nd season at the Music Academy of the West.

Claudia Scott, who has sung with the choir for half a century, was recognized for her sterling contribution to the choir, while Debra Stewart and Erica Di Bartolomeo, both retired from the board after six and eight years respectively, making room for Judy Holehouse and Margo Callis.

And last, but not least on the agenda, was the birthday of British import, Kate Firestone, wife of winemaker and former politico Brooks.

The singers, under their conductor of 27 years JoAnne Wasserman, launch the season October 12 at the Granada with American Masters, a co-production with the State Street Ballet, which will feature choreography by William Soleau set to composer Leonard Bernstein’s powerful Chichester Psalms, composer Morten Lauridsen’s ethereal Lux Aeterna, and Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring.

The year concludes in December with the seventh Hallelujah Project at the Lobero with the Goleta Valley Junior High Choir featuring ubiquitous emcee-auctioneer Andrew Firestone narrating “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”