Choirs

Conductor: Nemes József

The choir is affiliated to the Saint Ephrem Primary School in Debrecen. Established in 1959, it has been named Lautitia Children’s Choir since 2006, when József Nemes took over as conductor. They regularly participate in concerts given by the Debrecen Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra and in performances of the local Csokonai Theatre. They also serve the Greek Catholic Church and the city of Debrecen. Their winning the European and World Choir Championships is especially noteworthy. They have also been awarded prizes by the National Council of Choirs and the prize „For Excellence” by the county of Hajdú-Bihar. In 2017 they received 1stprize in their own category at the 16th Budapest International Choir Competition. Also in 2017, they were given 2nd prize in Preveza, Greece. In 2018 they attended the 15th Concorso Corale International Choir Competition in Italy, where they came in 1st in their category. It should, however, be emphasized that the Lautitia Children’s Choir has become a community in which everybody loves and respects the other members. For them common creative work means constant challenge in their everyday life.

Competition programme:

Semi-final
Josu Elberdin: Ikusten duzu
Péter Tóth: Mesedoboz - Kobold a polcon
Arr. Michael Barrett: Indodana

Final
Péter Tóth: Mesedoboz - Gurula gurula
Veljo Tormis: Lauliku lapsepoli
Josu Elberdin: Cantate Domino

Conductor: Larisza Jaruckaja

The concert choir "Perezvony" (Chimes) was formed in September 2008. It consists of schoolchildren of 4-9 classes of the choral department of the M. Glinka Children’s Arts School of St Petersburg. Director and conductor of the "Perezvony" is Larisa Yarutskaya, winner of international competitions.
Over the years the group has repeatedly become the winner of international festivals and competitions.

Awards:
Gold diplomas at International and Russian festivals:
2010 — Shaoxing, China, St Petersburg, Russia; Petrozavodsk, Republic of Karelia.
2011 — St.Petersburg, Russia; Krakow, Poland.
2012 — Neerpelt, Belgium.
2013 — Daugavpils, Latvia; Moscow, St.Petersburg, Russia; Turku, Finland.
2014 — Petrozavodsk, Republic of Karelia; St.Petersburg, Russia.
2015 — St.Petersburg, Russia.
2016 — Sochi, Russia.
2014 — St Petersburg, Russia (two awards)
2015 — Vologda, Moscow, St.Petersburg, Russia.
2016 — St Petersburg (two awards), Moscow Russia
2017 — Moscow, Russia; Mogilev, Belarus.

Competition programme:

Elődöntő
Krzysztof Penderecki: Sanctus Benedictus From the Mass
V. Polyakov: Bogorodice Devo raduysya

Döntő
Arvo Pärt: Zwei Beter
Sergey Pleshak : Vague dreams

Conductor: Lin Fang

The Shanghai Municipal Education Commission founded SYC in 2012 to represent the highest level of youth choir singing in Shanghai. The singers join SYC through audition.
SYC have distinguished and caring teachers, whose aim is:
   -  to develop excellent singers through choral and musical training in a good learning environment;
   -  to make children enjoy music and make choral music part of their life.

Choral competitions:
9. „Singing World” Russia 2013
    1st Prize, Folklore Music
    2nd Prize, Children’s choirs
    2nd Prize, Modern music
3rd Singapore Int. Choir Competition 2016:
    Gold diploma, Folklore and Gold diploma, EqualVoices.

Conductor Lin Fang
Deputy director and conductor of Shanghai Youth Choir,
Some of his concerts and workshops:
Aug 2014: Concert, Helsinki, Finland
Apr 2015: Concert, Turkey
May 2017: Workshop, Chongqing, China
Jul 2017: Concerts, Barcelona and Viladecans, Spain
Awards&Prizes:
2016: Conductor prize
Educational background:
2006: graduated from Shanghai Conservatory Of Music
2006-2008 studied with Geshun Ma
2017- studies with Uffe Most

Competition programme:

Semi-final
Hua Lin: The Wild Goose
Jaakko Mäntyjärvi: Pseudo-Yoik Lite
Michael Bojesen: Gloriai

Final
Yuchuan Wen: The Lullaby
Marie-Claire Saindon: Le Train d'hiver
Knut Nysted: Hosanna

Conductor: Heather Johnson

The Cantilon Chamber Choir is one of Canada’s leading children’s choral ensembles. Since its inception, the Cantilon Chamber Choir has been honoured with numerous awards, including 1st place (Children’s Choirs) in the 2017 National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs. The choir has competed twice in the Béla Bartók International Choral Competition (2014 – 2nd, Youth Choir; 2006 – 1st, Children’s Choirs & 1st, Youth Choirs) and in the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales (2011 – 1st, Youth Choirs). In 2007, the Cantilon Chamber Choir was proud to represent Canada in the European Broadcast Union’s Let The Peoples Sing (2nd).

The Founder and Artistic Director, Heather Johnson, holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Lethbridge (Canada), Bachelor of Education and Master of Music degrees from the University of Alberta (Canada), and a diploma from the Kodály Pedagogical Institute in Kecskemét. Heather tours and records frequently with both the Cantilon Chamber Choir and her women’s ensemble, Belle Canto.

Competition programme:

Semi-final
Miklós Kocsár: Salve Regina
Péter Tóth: Magnus, maior, maximus
Jussi Chydenius: Kaipaava

Final
Kelly-Marie Murphy: Alleluia
Keith Hamel: Lullaby
György Orbán: Lauda Sion

Conductor: Bálint Gyombolai

The girls’ choir of MihályVörösmarty Primary and Secondary Musical School is based in Pestszentlőrinc, a district of Budapest. It was founded in 1991 by then head teacher Györgyi Járai-Bődi, and the late music teacher and choir master, Miklós Csík. His successor in the leadership position was Sándor Kabdebó The girls’ choir is a regular participant of the so-called ’Singing Youth’ concerts. They have been honoured with the ’Choir of the Year’ prize several times. Most recently, they have been noted for their remarkable achievements in international choir contests, e.g., in Celje (2009), Neerpelt (2010) and Graz (2011). The choir has been directed by Bálint Gyombolai since September 2012. Under his leadership the choir earned a Golden Diploma at the Youth Singing Contest as well as a Diploma of Merit in 2013. The ensemble won a 3rd prize at the Budapest International Choir Competition in 2015, where Bálint Gyombolai was awarded a special prize for conducting. The Vörösmarty Girls’ Choir lays a special emphasis on singing contemporary music: they have premiered seven compositions in the past two years.

Competition programme:

Semi-final
Béla Bartók: Madárdal
Béla Bartók: Isten veled!
Margaret King: Aurora
Péter Tóth: Gaudete

Final
Péter Tóth: Dulcis Amor
Francis Poulenc: Ave verum corpus
György Orbán: Mundi renovatio

Conductor: Denis Ceausov

The Cantemus Youth Choir was established in 2007. The choir was founded and since then has been led by Denis Ceausov. Cantemus consists of young people of 11-24, who enjoy choral music. The repertoire of the choir contains works by European, American and Moldavian composers from the Renaissance to our days. They have also participated in 15 international choral competitions and have been awardees for their outstanding performance, as, e.g. at the 56th International Choral Competition «Seghizzi» (July 2017 Gorizia, Italy) - 1st Prize in Romantic and Modern Music categories, Grand Prix Seghizzi 2nd Award
Denis Ceausov (conductor of "Cantemus” )
Denis Ceausov graduated from the Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts of Moldova. Apart from leading “Cantemus”, he works as second conductor of the Moldavian National Symphonic Orchestra.
In 2011 he received a special prize as “best choir conductor” at the 29th International Youth Choir Festival, (Celje, Slovenia). In 2013 he was also awarded a special prize at the 52nd International Choir Competition "Seghizzi" (Gorizia, Italy).

Competition programme:

Semi-final
Vladimir Ciolac: Miserere
Albert Alcaraz: Rugen Erasoaldia

Final
Ko Matsushita: Ave Regina coelorum
Igor Iachimciuc: Dati-mi un trup, voi muntilor

Conductor: Zoltán Sándor

The ensemble was founded in 1987 as the training choir of the institute. It is an active participant of the music life of the city and its significant presence is proved by several radio recordings and performances (concerts, festivals) both in Hungary and abroad. Its a cappella repertoire spans from the Renaissance to the 21st century and it is often involved in performing oratories. The conductor is Professor Zoltán Sándor, also head of the Institute. The Choir first took part in an international competition in Fivizzano, Italy, in 2001, where it was awarded first prize both in the categories of female choirs and church music. In 2002 the Choir was awarded first prize in the category of equal voice choirs at the 20th Debrecen International Choir Competition. Since then it has been awarded a great number of prizes at various choir competitions in Europe.

Competition programme:

Semi-final
Rihards Dubra: Laudate
Rupert Lang: Cantate Domino
Vic Nees: Ave Maria
Péter Tóth: Gaudete

Final
Ēriks Ešenvalds: O salutaris hostia
János Vajda: O lux
Guido Messore: Tre sentenze Nr. 3.
Petr Eben: Catonis moralia - I. Preludio

Conductor: Dorottya Rácz-Nyíri and Balázs Porcsalmy

The Amici Cantates vocal ensemble was established in July 2017 in Debrecen. It mainly consists of current and former members of the Kántus, the choir of the Reformed College of Debrecen. Their aim is to demonstrate their proficiency in contemporary choral art and to participate in an event of such a high prestige as the Béla Bartók International Choir Competition. The members of the ensemble are employed in various occupations: pastors and students of theology, experts engaged in clinical medicine research, solo singers doctors, students of geoinformatics and music teachers. What connects them is the love of singing together and the commitment to choral singing. The ensemble also regard performing contemporary choral pieces at a high artistic level as their important task because they are convinced that they should be made organic part of modern liturgical practice. The ensemble is led by Dorottya Rácz-Nyiri, teacher of the Kölcsey Reformed Practicing Primary School in Debrecen and Balázs Porcsalmy, teacher of the Reformed High School and College of Lónyai Street in Budapest.

Competition programme:

Semi-final
László Udvardy: Bájoló
Ola Gjeilo: Northern Lights
Levente Gyöngyösi: Szépen - IV. Ha én kedvesemről gondolkodom

Final
Levente Gyöngyösi: Te lucis ante terminum
György Orbán: Ave Regina
Jaakko Mäntyjärvi: Four Shakespeare Songs - III. Double, Double Toil and Trouble

Conductor: Betsy Cook Weber

The choir is the University of Houston’s premiere large choral ensemble, which consists primarily of undergraduate students representing a variety of majors, including music. During the school year, Chorale sings 10 - 12 performances, with a repertoire from very early to recently-composed music. Chorale singers are busy making and directing music outside of the ensemble as well. Many Chorale singers are also active in the University of Houston's excellent opera program and many serve as staff singers in local church choirs.
Dr. Betsy Cook Weber is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies. She is also active internationally as a conductor and lecturer. In 2013, Weber became the 1st woman to receive the Texas Choral Director Association’s coveted Texas ChoirmasterAward. She also serves as Director of the Houston Symphony Chorus. Before coming to the University of Houston, Weber taught vocal music in the public schools for thirteen years. The district where she taught was one of the first in the United States to embrace the music-teaching philosophy of Zoltán Kodály, which, of course, relies heavily on the folk-song collections of Béla Bartók and others.

Competition programme - Chamber choirs:

Semi-final
Ben May: So Sweet
David Ashley White: In the Smokeless Air
Paul Mealor: Upon a Bank With Roses Set About

Final
Pärt Uusberg: Muusika
Joshua Shank: Grass-Green Pillow
Hans Schanderl: Bazar

Competition programme - Mixed Choirs:

Semi-final
Ivo Antognini: I Am the Rose of Sharon
Carlos Cordero: This Sky
Budi Susantos: Gloria Patri

Final
Ugis Praulins: Crucifixus (Missa Rigensis)
Stephen Paulus: Splendid Jewel
Urmas Sisask: Benedictio

Conductor: Tristan Caliston Ignacio

Formed in 2002, Imusicapella is a church choir based at the Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in Imus City, Cavite, Philippines. The choir regularly sings at the Imus Cathedral and St. Peregrine Chapel.
They have competed and won 1st prizes in international choral competitions in Arezzo, Italy (2015); Tours, France (2011); Spittal, Austria (2015); Takarazuka, Japan (2017); Busan, South Korea (2012); Mainhausen (2011) and Lindenholzhausen (2005 & 2011), Germany; Montreux (2007) and Neuchatel (2003), Switzerland; Sopot, Poland (2005) and San Luis Obispo, California, USA (2007).
The founder and conductor of the choir is Tristan Caliston Ignacio. He is the winner of the 2015 Günther-Mittergradnegger Preis for the best interpretation of a contemporary choral work in Spittal, Austria; the 2011 Conductor's Prize at the 6th HARMONIE Festival in Lindenholzhausen, Germany and the 2007 Pro Musica Viva Maria Strecker Daelen Preis, the Conductor's Prize for the best interpretation of a contemporary choral work in Marktoberdorf, Germany.

Competition programme:

Semi-final
Morten Lauridsen: Ov’e,lass, il be viso?
Z.Randall Stroope: Conversion of Saul
Nilo Alcala: Dayo Dayo Kupita
 
Final
Pēteris Vasks: Mate Saule
Joed Balsamo: Gloria Laus et Honor
Francisco Feliciano: Pamugun

Conductor:  John Byun

The Riverside City College Chamber Singers have performed at the ACDA in Tucson 2010 and Santa Barbara 2014, at the NCCO national conference in Fort Collins 2011 and Portland 2015 and at the CASMEC conference in San Jose, CA 2016. The Chamber Singers have competed nationally and internationally taking first place at the California International Choral Competition 2011, The Eisteddfod Choral Competition in Wales 2009, and at the Choral Competition in Spittal, Austria 2015. They often have opportunities to perform with special guest artists and as chorus for the Star Wars in Concert.
John Byun received his Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of California, Irvine and his Masters in Choral Conducting from California State University, Long Beach. He is the director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Riverside City College. Mr. Byun is also the artistic director of the Temecula Valley Master Chorale. He has been the guest conductor for several district honor choirs. 

Competition programme:

Semi-final
Ivo Antognini: O gloriosa domina
Richard Burchard: Ecce dedi verba mea
Jake Runestad: Alleluia

Final
Ambrož Čopi: Cantate Domino
Eric Whitacre: I carry your heart with me
Audi Susanto Yohanes: Gloria Patri

Conductor: Jegor Loszev

The Saint Petersburg Serenades chamber choir was formed in 1991 at the faculty of music of the Herzen Pedagogical University. The ensemble took its name from a series of choir miniatures by Alexander Dargomyzhsky.
In 1996 the Saint Petersburg Serenades was given professional status.
In 2014 the mansion of Tepper de Ferguson (teacher of music and singing at the Imperial Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum) was transformed into a concert hall for concerts by Saint Petersburg Serenades. Since then, the creative life of the community has been filled with events.
In 2015 the choir won the first prize at the 14th "The Singing World" in the category of chamber choirs. In 2016 they won the Grand Prix of this festival.
Yegor Losev was born in 1984 in Leningrad. He is a graduate of the Glinka Choral College, and the Saint Petersburg State Conservatory.
From 2003 to 2007 he was master of the choir of students of St. Petersburg State University, and from 2007 to 2016 he taught conducting at the Glinka Choral College.
Since 2013 Yegor Losev has been the conductor of the chamber choir Saint Petersburg Serenades.

Competition programme:

Semi-final
Michael Ostrzyga: Iuppiter
Yuri Falik: Poèses by Igor' Severyanin - IV. Intermezzo
Yuri Falik: Poèses by Igor' Severyanin - VI. Narodnaya (folk)
Ilya Demutsky: Three choruses for poems by Russian poets - II. Zashumela, razgulyalas' v pole  epogoda... (Made a noise, walked out bad weather in the field)

Final
Nicolai Dranitsyn: Psalm 103 "Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele”
Sergey Ekimov: Three Poems of Marina Tsvetaeva - II. Blessed
Svetlana Nesterova: The cycle of pieces for the choir to the poems of Russian poets of the 20th century "To the Unknown God" - II. Each before God naked ...

Conductor: Nilgun Tuzkaya

The Ankara Polyphonic Choir was established by Prof. MuzafferArkan in 1965 as the Radio Children’s Choir. It consisted of wholly amateur members. Renamed as the Ankara Youth Choir in 1973, it attended the International Choral Competition in Arezzo, and was the first choir to represent Turkey in the country’s history. Since its establishment the choir has demonstrated a high artistic standard at international festivals as well as competitions in Italy, Germany, Bulgaria, England, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Austria, France, Poland, Cyprus, and Hungary, by winning the Grand Prix nine times as well as coming in second and third. The ensemble came to be called The Ankara Polyphonic Choir in 1985. Today, their aim is to keep Prof. Muzaffer Arkan’s memory alive. They have worked as an ensemble of the Ankara Polyphonic Music Association since February 2012. The conductor is Nilgun Tuzkaya, daughter of Muzaffer Arkan. It has an extensive repertoire from the Renaissance to the present, including both Turkish and international choral pieces.

Competition programme:

Semi-final
İlhan Baran: Eylül Sonu
Ola Gjeilo: Northern Lights
Alexandru Paşcanu: Chindia
Ernani Aguiar: Salmo 150

Final
Turgay Erdener: Ninni
Kodály Zoltán: Túrót Eszik a Cigány
Z. Randall Stroope: Cantate Domino

Conductor: Vera Slasnaya

This non-professional choir was established in 2008. It has given performances since 2009 and is constantly involved in various local and international festivals and competitions.
The first time the choir was awarded the diploma "For the best performance of a contemporary composer" at the 6th International Forum of student choirs "Paparats Kvetka - 2011" (Belorussia, Minsk, 2011,). In 2012 they won the first prize in the category of mixed choirs at the international chorus competition in Istanbul, Turkey.
The repertoire of the choir includes music of the Renaissance and the Baroque periods, folk music, spiritual music and works of modern composers.
Vera Slasnaya, conductor
She graduated as a choral conductor from the Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatoire of St.Petersburg in 2015. In 2008 she founded the “Art Sonus” choir.
In 2011-2012 she conducted master-classes of Russian ecclesiastical music in Aarhus, Denmark, and in Minsk (2016). She is regularly chosen “best conductor” at choir competitions.
Since 2010 she has worked in Rimsky Korsakov Music School of St.Petersburg. In 2011 she founded “Offenheit” - a choir of students.

Competition programme:

Semi-final
Benjamin Britten: Five Flower Songs - op 47 Nr. 1. To Daffodils
Dmitry Smirnov: The Only-Begotten Son (fragment from the praying songs)
Ludo Claessen: Sanctus
Stephen Leek: Kungala

Final
Br. Ingi Porteisson: Rausi Riddarinn
Peter Tuchkov: O,captain! My captain!..
Dmitry Smirnov: From the trefoil “The old villa”
Arvo Pärt: Lobet den herrn, Alle Heiden (zwei slawische psalmen) n.1 psalm 117.
Giedrius Svilainis: Sodai, Sodai, leliumoi

Conductor:  Betsy Cook Weber

The choir is the University of Houston’s premiere large choral ensemble, which consists primarily of undergraduate students representing a variety of majors, including music. During the school year, Chorale sings 10 - 12 performances, with a repertoire from very early to recently-composed music. Chorale singers are busy making and directing music outside of the ensemble as well. Many Chorale singers are also active in the University of Houston's excellent opera program and many serve as staff singers in local church choirs.
Dr. Betsy Cook Weber is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies. She is also active internationally as a conductor and lecturer. In 2013, Weber became the 1st woman to receive the Texas Choral Director Association’s coveted Texas ChoirmasterAward. She also serves as Director of the Houston Symphony Chorus. Before coming to the University of Houston, Weber taught vocal music in the public schools for thirteen years. The district where she taught was one of the first in the United States to embrace the music-teaching philosophy of Zoltán Kodály, which, of course, relies heavily on the folk-song collections of Béla Bartók and others.

Competition programme -  - Chamber choirs:

Semi-final
Ben May: So Sweet
David Ashley White: In the Smokeless Air
Paul Mealor: Upon a Bank With Roses Set About

Final
Pärt Uusberg: Muusika
Joshua Shank: Grass-Green Pillow
Hans Schanderl: Bazar

Competition programme - Mixed Choirs:

Semi final
Ugis Praulins: Crucifixus (Missa Rigensis)
Stephen Paulus: Splendid Jewel
Urmas Sisask: Benedictio

Conductor: Jesper Grove Jørgensen

The University Choir Lille MUKO is amongst the best classical choirs in Denmark. Based in Copenhagen, the choir has existed since 1967 and consists of 30-40 skilled and ambitious singers.
Lille MUKO strives to continuously explore compositional music in various contexts. Their trademark is the interpretation of lyrical Danish songs. Contemporary classical music is also a high priority for the choir. They often sing first performances of new works by Danish composers.
Since its foundation, Lille MUKO has participated in numerous competitions and tours around the world. Through recordings and its activities, Lille MUKO continuously seeks to acquaint the world with especially Danish and Scandinavian choral music.
Over the years, Lille MUKO has released a number of recordings, frequently played on the Danish radio. The present conductor Jesper Grove Jørgensen has been at the helm of Lille MUKO for 30 years, and continuity in musical direction has ensured conservation and refinement of the choir’s praised expression and sonority.

Competition programme:

Semi-final
Sven-David Sandström: Four Songs of Love - III. Awake, o North Wind
Vagn Holmboe: The Wee Wee Man
Ildbrando Pizzetti: Due Composizioni corali - Il. Giardino Di Afrodite

Final
Stephen Chatman: A Magical Machine
Matti Borg: Landskab - VIII. Til Majdag forer jeg hjem min brud
Frank Martin: Songs of Ariel - III. Before you can say "Come and go"
Per Nørgård: Wie ein Kind - I. Wiiegenlied

Conductor: Ivan Szamojlov

Under the direction of its founder, Ivan Samoilov, the choir has become a prize winner of many competitions - Champion and Gold Medalist of the 2nd European Choir Games (Germany, 2015), Gold Medalist of Grand Prix of Nations (Germany, 2015); silver medalist of the 8th World Choir Games (Latvia, 2014), silver winner of 5th World Choir Games (Austria, 2008).
The artistic director and conductor, awardee of international competitions, is Ivan Samoilov, graduate of the Tchaikovsky State Conservatory.
The Chamber Choir regularly performs solo concert programs, both in Russia and abroad.
They sing music composed for chamber choirs as well as large-scale opera and symphonic works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Fauré, Orff; etc.
Since June 2009 the Chamber Choir has annually organized the International Choir Assembly "Golden Crane".

Competition programme:

Semi-final
Jakub Neske: Mironczarnia
Rihards Dubra: Stetit angelus
Jake Runestad: Alleluia

Final
Z. Randall Stroope: The conversion of Saul
Alexey Davidovich Machavariani: Doluri
Laura Jekabsone: Div dujinas

Conductor:  Bernie Sherlock

Internationally acclaimed New Dublin Voices is a leading Irish chamber choir. Founded by award-winning conductor, Bernie Sherlock, in 2005, NDV strives to present programmes that are fresh, innovative and exciting. The choir takes pleasure in exploring the music of living composers and has given over 50 world premieres.
NDV has won prizes at major competitions in Ireland, France, Hungary, Germany, Finland, Spain, England, Latvia and Italy, including the Grand Prix at the 2nd International Baltic Sea Choir Competition in Latvia, 2017. In 2013, they became the first Irish choir to win a place in the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing.
NDV has previously been invited to perform at some of the world’s most prestigious choral festivals: 37th Musiqueen Morvan, France (2012), 9th European Festival of Youth Choirs, Switzerland (2014), 23rd Festival des Chœurs Lauréats, France (2015), and the 2nd World Choral Festival, USA (2016).
In December 2017, they released their fourth CD, consisting of Christmas music by Irish composers and arrangers.

Competition programme:

Semi-final
John Hoybye: Jubilate Deo
Zoltán Kodály: Ode for Music
Ivo Antognini: Canticum Novum

Final
Goffredo Petrassi: Nonsense 1
Seán Doherty: Under-song
Josep Vila: Salve Regina

Conductor:  Aitor Biain

Oñatiko Ganbara Abesbatza is a mixed voice choral group founded in the 1994, on the initiative of 12 youths from different choirs. Since then, the group has grown to its current number of thirty-some choir members. The group was founded under the direction of Gorka Cueva, duties that were taken over by Esteban Urzelai (1996-2009) and then by Aitor Biain, who is the current choir director.
Their repertoire includes all types of works from the 16th century to the present; they cover polyphonic works as well as folk music from various countries, spirituals, gospels. Basque folklore also forms a major component of their programs, as are works by contemporary composers.
For more than two decades, the choir has participated in many competitions, being awarded numerous prizes. Main highlights:
  - First prize in the "15th National Choral Competition Antonio Jose", Burgos (Spain), October 2016;
  - Second prize in the category of Mixed Voices at the International contest "Fondazione Guido d'Arezzo", Arezzo (Italy), August 2015.

Competition programme:

Semi-final
Josep Vila i Casanas: Salve Regina
Knut Nysted: Peace I leave with you
Randall Stroope: The conversion of Saul

Final
Arvo Pärt: Bogoroditsie Djevo
Ēriks Ešenvalds: Stars
Michael Ostrzyga: Iuppitter

Conductor:  John Byun

The Riverside City College Chamber Singers have performed at the ACDA in Tucson 2010 and Santa Barbara 2014, at the NCCO national conference in Fort Collins 2011 and Portland 2015 and at the CASMEC conference in San Jose, CA 2016. The Chamber Singers have competed nationally and internationally taking first place at the California International Choral Competition 2011, The Eisteddfod Choral Competition in Wales 2009, and at the Choral Competition in Spittal, Austria 2015. They often have opportunities to perform with special guest artists and as chorus for the Star Wars in Concert.
John Byun received his Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of California, Irvine and his Masters in Choral Conducting from California State University, Long Beach. He is the director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Riverside City College. Mr. Byun is also the artistic director of the Temecula Valley Master Chorale. He has been the guest conductor for several district honor choirs. 

Competition programme:

Semi-final
Allan Rae: Keltic Song
Kevin Memley: O magnum mysterium
Hyo Won Woo: Gloria

Final
Julian Reisenthel: Kia wore upendo (Ubi Caritas)
Ivo Antognini: Alleluia