CHORALE SINGERS MAKING JOYFUL NOISE AROUND VENTURA COUNTY : COMING PERFORMANCES.

Byline: Patricia Hesselbach Daily News Staff Writer

Making beautiful music together is first and foremost in the hearts of the singers constituting the Los Robles Master Chorale and the Ventura County Master Chorale. The two outstanding organizations, similar in size and commitment to excellence in choral singing, regularly take their well-polished choral masterpieces to appreciative audiences throughout the county.

Under the direction of Dr. Burns Taft, the Ventura County Master Chorale has evolved from a community chorus into a formidable ensemble, capable of singing everything from Bach to Beethoven and Brahms to Bruckner. Since accepting the post of director in 1980, Taft has transformed the former Conejo Choraliers into a vital, song-filled vision of artistic excellence.

Under the guidance of founding director James Stemen, the Los Robles Master Chorale has come a long way since its humble 1978 birth. Originally known as the Moorpark Masterworks Chorale, the once-small collection of singers has emerged as an important musical resource within the community. Emphasizing high musical standards and an artistically fulfilling experience for each of his singers, Stemen continues to lead the ensemble to new challenges - and challenge audiences with ever more exciting performances.

Similarities between the two choral groups reach beyond the obvious ``master chorale'' labeling. Stemen, a professor at Moorpark College, and Taft, a professor at Ventura College, share a passion for much of the same great choral literature.

Both organizations also share the distinction of having performed the awe-inspiring Durufle ``Requiem'' under notable conductors. In 1985, the Ventura County Master Chorale performed the work under the baton of Paul Salamunovich and, in 1992, Roger Wagner conducted the work with the Los Robles Master Chorale.

Both community-oriented organizations rehearse at their college bases and perform at a variety of venues and locales. Both programs serve as umbrellas for children's choirs, in an effort to keep choral music appreciation alive and well. Both rehearse Tuesday nights. The greatest similarity, however, seems to be found in the singers' love for the music and joy of singing in a master chorale.

``We're always challenged to do more than we think we can,'' said Ventura County Master Chorale soprano Deborah Fitzgibbons. A member of the group for the better part of 15 years and current membership chairwoman, Fitzgibbons recognizes a good choral experience. The soloist and chorister has sung throughout the country under Michael Tilson Thomas, Carlo Maria Giulini, Roger Wagner and other conductors.

``People accepted into the chorale are screened to read music, and they must be good musicians,'' Fitzgibbons said. A self-employed reinforcing steel detailer for construction companies, she uses her lunch hour to vocalize.

``My husband wonders why I spend so much time with music, and I wonder why he spends so much time at the computer,'' said the singer, who added that she is honored to sing the great masterworks with her chorale.

Los Robles Master Chorale tenor Ed Meals learned of the group when he first came to California in 1989. The following year, he traveled to Europe with the group.

``It's exciting to be part of a well-established chorale,'' said Meals, an architectural designer by day who mapped out much of the Lake Sherwood Country Club. Meals, who has sung in choirs for more than 50 years, attributed some of his early career success to an employer who looked favorably on his musical involvement and the discipline required to sing in a choir.

Evelyn Davis, marketing and sales director for Corwin Press Inc., sings with the Ventura County Master Chorale. A little more than a year ago, she spotted an advertisement for the chorale on the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza marquee.

``I thought, `I wonder if I could sing with them.' The rest, as they say, is history,'' Davis said. She plans to move to Ventura as a direct result of her positive experience with the chorale.

``Burns gets good work out of good people, and it's getting better every semester,'' she said. ``There's not a diva among them.''

For speech pathologist Christine Keightley and independent writer-producer Katie Carter, singing with the Los Robles Master Chorale is a fun and rewarding experience.

``This is the friendliest group of people I've ever sung with,'' said Keightley of the ``close-knit'' alto section. ``Jim knows all of the singers personally. I've never seen anything like that before.''

``He kept bringing fliers and tickets to sell,'' Carter said. The soprano, who has been singing in choirs since third grade, learned of the chorale from a fellow church choir member. She added that she now designs the graphics for chorale publicity.

Los Angeles County firefighter Lee Oliver sings regularly with the Ventura County Master Chorale. In the 1980s, however, he performed solos with the Moorpark Masterworks Chorale.

``All of the singers bring out the best in each other,'' said Stan Hodson of the Ventura County Master Chorale. ``Everybody's best traits (combine).'' An editor and writer for an industrial safety firm, Hodson joined the group after attending a 1995 Christmas concert.

Hodson has taken his commitment to the chorale and the group's commitment to the community seriously. ``It's kind of a community service,'' he said. ``For those who happen to like music, it's a win-win (situation).''

This fall, the Los Robles Master Chorale and Ventura County Master Chorale will join forces and voices in an unprecedented performance of the spectacular Verdi ``Requiem.'' The sister choirs will perform on the stage of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza under the direction of San Francisco Symphony chorus director Vince George. The extended family of singers finally will have a chance to meet.

Ventura County Master Chorale at the Ventura Chamber Music Festival

Exalted Festive Voices

May 3 at 8 p.m.

Transfigured Night

May 10 at 8 p.m.

Ticket prices and information: [phone]

Audition information: [phone]

Los Robles Master Chorale

at the Performing Arts Center 

at Moorpark College

Music of North and South

American Composers

June 7 at 8 p.m.

June 8 at 4 p.m.

Ticket prices and information:[phone]

Audition information: [phone]

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Box: Coming performance (See text)