CHORAL MUSIC FOR THE ALAMEDA/EAST BAY COMMUNITIES
Who we are
Alameda Community Chorus is a 501 (c) (3) non profit dedicated to advancing the love of choral music through education, performance and collaboration. For further information regarding our organization and for bookings, volunteerism, or general information, please contact (510) 219-6862.
Mission Statement
The mission of the chorus is to engage the community in advancing the love of choral music through education, performance, and collaboration.
History
Back in late 1981, an idea was forming in the minds of two very special Alameda citizens--wouldn't it be wonderful to have a chorus in Alameda to perform at special functions and city events? These two people, Bonnie Horlbeck and Charles Rhode, continued to formulate their plan, which came to fruition in 1982, and the Alameda Oratorio Society was created.
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The purpose of the Society was to benefit the community of Alameda, and to encourage Alameda residents to participate in the performance of choral compositions. At first, the chorus was under the direction of Al Price, and performed with the Alameda Mozart Festival, in which a celebration of Mozart’s birthday took place with presentations of his glorious music.
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After three years, the chorus came under the jurisdiction of the Alameda Adult School, and has been a regular class since 1985. The Alameda Community Chorus (ACC), as it became known, performs at least two concerts per year, one in December with the Alameda Community Band, and one concert in the spring. In addition, they performed for various clubs or other groups. The chorus was led by Bonnie Horlbeck, Nyla Barrett, Carole Vetter, and Kathryn Neale Manalo.
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In 2016 ACC became a non profit dedicated to chorale music education and performance throughout the Bay Area. ACC's fall and spring registrations are through Alameda Recreation and Park Department. Alameda Community Chorus is now dba Alameda Sings! We continue to welcome singing enthusiasts and local talent and enjoy chorale leadership through our current Artistic Director, Barbara Acosta.
Barbara Acosta, Artistic Director
Barbara Acosta was raised in Alameda, and graduated from Porter School and Alameda High School where she studied flute and piccolo. She studied piano and voice with the late Elizabeth Curtis. She has been a member of the Distaff Singers since 1980, the Alameda Community Chorus (Alameda Sings!) since 1991 and is the Music Director at First Presbyterian Church of Alameda. Barbara performed the role of the Mother in Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” directed by the late Bonnie Horlbeck. She also performed in “Amahl” with Solo Opera at the Dean Lesher Center for Performing Arts in Walnut Creek. She has participated in the Holiday Home Tour, Memorial Day Ceremonies, the Mayor’s Fourth of July Parade, Alameda Community Band and several musicals at Encinal High School. Barbara is an honor graduate of Diablo Valley College, and she is married to her high school sweetheart, Armand, and they have three daughters and sons-in-law, seven grandsons and two granddaughters. Barbara is currently contracted through the Alameda Recreation and Park Department.
ALAMEDA SINGS! welcomes vocal enthusiasts ages 13 and up.
Learn and perform in a fun-filled choral environment.
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