Serenade performs Assassin’s Creed Symphony
Serenade chamber choir sang in the first US performance of the Assassin’s Creed Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall on August 3, 2019.
Praise for the Fauré Requiem
The San Mateo Daily Journal wrote: “…the soloists and chorus conjured up a rich, well-layered and clearly-articulate sound that was a pleasure to hear.”
Best of the Bay
This year we were delighted to learn that we had attracted new fans when we once again won a Best of the Bay Award from San Francisco Classical Voice, this time as Best Discovery. In addition, we were honored to take second place in the Best Choral Performance category for our performance of the Mozart Requiem. San Francisco Classical Voice says:
"Although clearly a new discovery for some, Masterworks Chorale is a familiar musical organization to many SFCV readers, and last year the group won in the best-choral-performance category for their rendition of the Verdi Requiem. For 55 years now, the chorale has been delivering superb choral music performed by a community chorus of over 100 voices, often in collaboration with other choirs, choruses, and instrumental ensembles, all under the baton of Bryan Baker. We're pleased that Masterworks Chorale has some new fans."
Serenade in Voci Nuove
Serenade was featured in a choral concert, “Voci Nuove,” presented by NACUSA SF (the National Association of Composers, USA, San Francisco Bay Area). The performance took place at 8pm Saturday, June 9, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Avenue, Palo Alto. Choral works by NACUSA SF composers John Beeman, Nancy Bloomer Deussen, Nicholas Denton-Protsack, David Garner, Steven Juliani, Davide Verotta, Dale Victorine and Shawne Workman were performed.
More >> NACUSA SF, June 9, 2018
Masterworks collaboration with Opera Cultura
Bless Me, Ultima is a new Mexican-American opera on the power of destiny by composer/librettist Héctor Armienta. The West Coast premiere of this work will be performed April 20-22, 2018 at the majestic Mexican Heritage Theater - School of Arts and Culture in San Jose. Members of Masterworks Chorale and Serenade will perform in the opera chorus.
More >> Bless Me, Ultima, April 2008
Praise for The Armed Man, A Mass for Peace
The San Mateo Daily Journal wrote: “The Masterworks Chorale made a major artistic statement in the cause of peace at its concert on March 18 at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Redwood City… Performance quality was excellent, from the chorus, rich throughout its various sections, to soprano soloist Megan Anderson in a mourning movement and boy soprano Brenn Farrell in the kyrie and notably in the small chamber orchestra.”
Artistic Director Dr. Bryan Baker Interview on Pen Voice
Host Dani Gasparini spoke with Bryan Baker in March 2018 about our spring concert and how music speaks to the issues of our time.
More >> Full Interview, March 5, 2018
Best of the Bay Award for 2016/17 from SF Classical Voice
This year, we were absolutely delighted to win a prestigious Best of the Bay Award from San Francisco Classical Voice for our performance of the Verdi Requiem.
There were nominations for 110 different opera singers, over 80 chamber-music ensembles, 60 orchestras and more than 70 choirs. Winners in other categories included: Michael Tilson Thomas, the San Francisco Symphony, the Kronos Quartet and American Bach Soloists.
The nominations and votes of our audience propelled us to victory, and the support of our sponsors, donors and friends enabled us to produce this wonderful concert - we couldn’t have done it without you. To each and everyone one of you, a huge thank you!
CBS San Francisco Bay Area Names Masterworks One of The 5 Best Choirs On The Peninsula!
CBS San Francisco writes: "With an ambitious concert schedule at churches and high school and college auditoriums in and around San Mateo, Masterworks Chorale celebrates its 50th year of bringing superior choral music to local audiences. Many concerts are in conjunction with San Francisco and Bay Area symphonies and orchestras, frequently with international soloists. Everyone is encouraged to audition, and while the music is challenging, choral directors work with singers to improve their skills. The repertoire ranges from Baroque to contemporary for this highly acclaimed choral ensemble with seven European tours under its belt, led by Dr. Bryan Baker."
Dr. Bryan Baker Receives the Peninsula Arts Council 2012 Diamond Award
Dr. Bryan Baker proudly accepted his Individual Artist Award at the 11th Annual Diamond Awards Ceremony at the Hiller Museum in San Carlos Jan. 25. Dr. Baker has been the Artistic Director and Conductor of Masterworks Chorale for the past 10 years, and is also the Assistant Conductor of the San Francisco Choral Society. The Diamond Awards are the signature arts recognition event of the Peninsula Arts Council, a non-profit organization promoting art education and public art in San Mateo County since 1992.