The Monterey Peninsula Choral Society is a non-profit, volunteer community chorus, performing each year since 1962. It is our mission to provide a pleasurable choral singing experience for our members and audiences, and to offer opportunities for our members to grow musically.
We enrich the culture of the community at large by offering audiences a varied and well-performed repertoire of choral music, collaborating with other performing arts groups, and supporting musical training for our members.
The Society presents two themed concerts annually, featuring popular music in the spring and a holiday program in December.
We differ from other local choruses by providing an environment in which both novice and experienced singers can develop their skills, and by presenting a variety of music rather than all-classical pieces.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
We are a California nonprofit corporation, tax-exempt under Federal 501(c)(3). Download our ByLaws here.
We are operated by a Board of Governors elected by MPCS members; officers are selected by the Board. We have no paid staff other than the Musical Director and Accompanist.
All other organizational needs are met by volunteers. Members serve on one or more committees to cover essential tasks such as stage set-up, costuming, hospitality, publicity, program design, ticket and advertising sales, member registration, and the like.
CONDUCTOR AND MUSIC DIRECTOR — SEAN BOULWARE
The chorus is under the direction of Sean Boulware. Sean has developed a worldwide reputation as a conductor, clinician, and vocalist. He has prepared choruses for conductors John Alexander, Keith Lockhart, and John Rutter, and for singers Josh Groban, Michael McDonald, and Tommy Simms.
Appearing frequently at Carnegie Hall, Sean made his conducting debut at Lincoln Center in May 2010. He has conducted in Europe, Asia, and South America.
As a vocalist, he has appeared with major U.S. symphonies as well as local groups on the Monterey Peninsula, and has toured with national musical productions.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
- President: Brooks Leffler
- Vice-President: Diane Kabat
- Recording Secretary: Jan Folsom
- Corresponding Secretary: Marjorie Sanders
- Treasurer: Vicki Frank
- Sondra Chapman
- Gillian Clendon
- Diane Ehlers
- Norman Plotkin
- Mark Travaille
- Sandra Weaver
FUNDING
The Society has a current annual budget of about $85,000.00. You may download simple pie charts of budgeted income and expenses for the next fiscal year.
Concert ticket sales are our largest income source. Other important sources are donations, membership dues, private concerts, and program book advertising.
We accept vehicle donations through Chariots for Charity.
We participate in Macy’s benefit shopping day each fall.
Corporate support includes Big Sur International Marathon, Central Coast Federal Credit Union, the Will and Mary Shaw Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, and Yellow Brick Road Benefit Shop. We are also funded in part by a grant from the Arts Council for Monterey County, with support from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.
HISTORY
Founded in 1962 by Monterey County Symphony Conductor John Gosling, the Monterey Peninsula Choral Society originally performed with the Monterey Symphony. The Chorus became independent in 1965.
Past musical directors have included John Gosling, Jan DeJong, Haymo Taeuber, David Rupert, Barney Hulse, Linda Keill, Jeff Green and Desma Johnson.
The Choral Society has performed its programs in the Carmel Mission Basilica, Golden State Theater, Hidden Valley Music Center, Pacific Grove Performing Arts Center, and Sunset Center, presenting musical programs ranging from Baroque to Barbershop, from American gospel to Appalachian folk music.