The Angeles Chorale will host its Golden Gala on March 29, 2025, marking 50 years of choral excellence and community engagement. The celebratory event at the Pico Union Project in Los Angeles will feature performances spanning multiple eras and genres while honoring founding figures and exploring the future of choral music.
The gala will spotlight both the historic accomplishments of the ensemble and the ongoing evolution of choral music as a vehicle for community engagement.
Founded in 1975 by Bill and Ada Beth Lee as the Valley Master Chorale, the ensemble merged in 1987 with California State University Northridge’s Masterworks Chorale under Artistic Director John Alexander. In 1996, Donald Neuen took over, leading the chorale for thirteen years and enhancing its reputation for classical masterworks. Throughout its history, the chorale has collaborated with prestigious organizations including the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Pasadena Symphony.
The venue selection carries significant meaning. The Pico Union Project, built in 1909 as Los Angeles’s oldest synagogue, now serves as a multicultural arts and social service hub dedicated to the principle of “love your neighbor as yourself.” The center promotes community vitality through music, interfaith collaboration, and civic activism while offering access to food, healthcare, and creative programs.
The chorale’s programming has evolved over time, frequently engaging with themes of social justice, cultural identity, and collective harmony. Like many performing arts organizations, the Angeles Chorale faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted innovations in rehearsal and performance practices.
The gala program will include a musical repertoire covering multiple eras and genres, tributes to the chorale’s founding figures, and interactive dialogues with the audience about the future of choral music. There will also be a thematic focus on unity, transformation, and artistic legacy.
The Angeles Chorale actively engages in community partnerships, including collaborations with the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and organizing initiatives such as food, toy, and supply drives at concerts. While based in Los Angeles, the group has strong regional connections, drawing performers and audiences from Pasadena and surrounding communities. Their educational partnerships with Pasadena-area schools further strengthen their community impact beyond performances.
Looking toward the future, the chorale is considering digital access options for those unable to attend performances in person, with hopes that events like the Golden Gala can catalyze broader investment in community arts.
The Golden Gala will take place at 8:00 p.m. at the Pico Union Project, located at 1153 Valencia St., Los Angeles, CA 90015. For more information, tickets, or sponsorship opportunities, interested parties can contact the Angeles Chorale at (818) 591-1735 or visit their website at angeleschorale.org.
