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Joyous weekend jubilee benefits SC Master Chorale

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Contributed by: Santa Clarita Master Chorale on 8/30/2008

What:	NEXT › ‹ PREVIOUS If you are searching for joyous entertainment, look no further. You will find no more exuberant song than on Oct. 18 at the Santa Clarita Master Chorale's annual "Friends Concert," when the ensemble welcomes the Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers. This homegrown powerhouse of voices has performed in more than 70 countries, and has thrilled North and South American audiences in scores of concerts on this side of the pond. The "spiritual" could have no better ambassador than this group! The Los Angeles ensemble had its Walt Disney Concert Hall debut last March, and the Los Angeles Times reviewer hailedits "irresistible rhythmic propulsion." The group's eponymous founder is a native Californian, born in Los Angeles, and Albert John Joseph McNeil has been offering a heritage of African-American music since his college days at UCLA, then later at UC-Davis as director of choral activities for 21 years. His mentors - Charles Hirt and Roger Wagner, among them - are a who's who of American choral music, but McNeil began his teaching career bringing music to the children of the L.A. Unified School District. He continues his work with children, serving on the board of L.A.'s Neighborhood Music School Association. His Jubilee Singers, a resident group of 29 vocalists, celebrated their 30th anniversary on the stage of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion back in 1997. The Los Angeles Times reviewer on that occasion saluted the group's "sophisticated, but stylistically pure arrangements" and praised the singers as "a virtuoso choir on the most rigorous of musical terms." And yet the spiritual songs and their singing are always accessible to the ear, and, at times, as familiar as a comfortable sweater and your favorite chair. If you're in need of "reviving," let this concert work its magic. Come support the Santa Clarita Master Chorale in this benefit performance and treat yourself to a weekend blessing of song. This year's "Friends concert" at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, will once again be at the Valencia United Methodist Church, 25718 McBean Parkway, Valencia. Tickets are $25 and include a reception following the concert. Tickets may be ordered on-line at the chorale's Web site, www.scmasterchorale.org, or by calling 661-254-8886.
Where:	Valencia United Methodist Church, 25718 McBean Parkway, Valencia
When:	7-9 p.m.
Event Dates:	This event takes place on 10/18/2008.