The Orcas Choral Society returns, with a new director

September 2, 2022 1:30 am
Contributed photo The Orcas Choral Society is delighted to announce its return to singing together this fall under its new Artistic Director, Bruce Langford.
Contributed photo The Orcas Choral Society is delighted to announce its return to singing together this fall under its new Artistic Director, Bruce Langford.

Submitted by The Orcas Choral Society.

The Orcas Choral Society is delighted to announce its return to singing together this fall under its new Artistic Director, Bruce Langford.

“Bruce brings us decades of choral direction, voice instruction, musical theater experience and an exciting, vibrant conducting style,” said chorus president Lynn Baker. “We are thrilled to have him lead us.”

Bruce previously directed “La Cage Aux Folles” in November of 2018 at Orcas Center. In 2019, he acted as the Narrator in ‘Rocky Horror Show’ “in a performance so shocking, it closed the theater for two years,” he recalled with tongue in cheek.

Orcas Choral Society invites all singers to its fall season opening, 6 p.m., Tuesday, September 20 in the Orcas Center Madrona Room. “We’ll meet Bruce and run through music for the 2022 holiday concert,” Baker said. “If you like it, you can sign up for the season.” Information on the Orcas Choral Society is available at www.orcaschoralsociety.org,

Orcas Choral Society has performed at the Orcas Center since its opening, interrupted only by the COVID pandemic. The chorus stopped rehearsals for safety after March 3, 2020. In 2021, OCS sang at the lighting of the Eastsound Christmas tree and caroled for the Eastsound community outdoors. After an open outdoor rehearsal in April 2022, Artistic Director Marianne Lewis retired. “We miss Marianne, and are sorry to lose her, but we’re most grateful she kept us going through the pandemic,” Baker said.

Bruce Langford served more than 25 years as Professor of Music History and Voice at Citrus College in Glendora, Calif. He has performed with and conducted vocal and instrumental ensembles throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia and held principal roles in more than 50 theatrical productions. He was a program director for several years on classical KUSC Radio in Los Angeles and has appeared as a guest lecturer for arts organizations such as the William Hall Chorale, Pacific Chorale, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, and Los Angeles Opera. Bruce received his music degrees from the California Institute of The Arts and Southwestern School of Music. He has published numerous articles on music, literature, and the arts.

“We are so happy to resume in-person rehearsals this fall and to mount a holiday concert for our community this December,” Baker said. “We will maintain protocols for everyone’s health and safety, but it’s time to get back together and sing!”