Pasadena Chorale wins national competition

The Pasadena Chorale received the 2024 American Prize in Choral Performance in the community division, the organization announced Friday.

The national award is a recognition of the chorale’s artistry as well as its commitment to bringing high-quality choral music to Pasadena and the Los Angeles County cultural scene, according to a statement from the chorale, which is a local nonprofit organization.

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts is the nation’s most comprehensive series of contests in the classical arts, the chorale’s statement said. Since its 2010 inception, the American Prize has drawn thousands of competitors nationwide who’ve received almost $150,000 in prizes.

The competition vets performances via recordings that contestants submit and recognizes the nation’s best performers, ensembles, composers and directors in the U.S. without age limits or live competition.

Jeffrey Bernstein founded the Pasadena Chorale in 2009, and since then it has transformed from a dedicated local group into a nationally recognized ensemble.

The chorale has remained committed to presenting performances that innovate and are inclusive, doing free concerts, giving priority to music that’s new and written by women and BIPOC composers, while offering free educational opportunities for young musicians, according to the organization.

“We are beyond thrilled and deeply honored that Pasadena Chorale has received the 2024 American Prize in Choral Performance,” Founding Artistic & Executive Director Jeffrey Bernstein said in a statement. “Over the past 15 years, the Chorale has grown from a small group of passionate singers into a thriving, vibrant ensemble that serves our community with free concerts and music education programs. This national recognition is a testament to the dedication of our singers and the unwavering support of our audience. What started as a local dream has blossomed into a nationally award-winning choral ensemble, and I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve achieved together.”

This top-ranking national nod further solidifies the ensemble’s leadership position in community-based choral music performance, chorale organizers said. In 2017, the group earned second place in the American Prize in Choral Performance.

“Now, with the 2024 award, the ensemble continues to inspire and enrich the lives of its audience and participants alike,” chorale organizers said.

The chorale also highlighted its commitment to accessibility that extends to educational initiatives. The Listening to the Future program pairs high school composers with professional mentors for an annual performance of new music written by students. The High Notes treble chorus for middle school students provides music instruction and the chance to perform “in a supportive environment, ensuring music education remains free and accessible to all,” the statement said.

For more information about the chorale, visit pasadenachorale.org.