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Stockton Chorale Renews Delta College Partnership
delta college

In a strategic move that will enable it to apply its financial resources more directly to its artistic mission, the Stockton Chorale has renewed a historical partnership with San Joaquin Delta College. As a result, singers in both the regular large Chorale and the smaller Master Chorale will be able to participate in the 2016-17 season without paying any membership dues. Instead, the Chorale will operate as an evening course sponsored by Delta College’s Department of Music. Participants will register for Music 018/118 Chorale. In addition, the Stockton Singers, the Stockton Chorale’s non-auditioned adult choir, will also be “fee free” for the upcoming season thanks to a generous donation by member-singers Jan and Bruce Adams.

Dr. Bruce Southard, Director of Choral Activities at Delta College, continues as the Chorale’s Artistic Director. Southard was instrumental in working with Delta College administrators to revive the course. During the 1960s and 70s, the Chorale had been offered as an evening course at University of the Pacific before moving to Delta College. However, because of cuts to state funding that resulted from Proposition 13, Delta was forced to discontinue its support for the Chorale class. The Stockton Chorale non-profit organization assumed management of the ensemble and the system of membership dues was initiated.

The mission of the Stockton Chorale is “to inspire joy and enrich our community through choral music.” The renewed arrangement with Delta College for the 2016-17 season supports that mission by extending the reach of the Chorale into new parts of the greater Stockton area and surrounding communities. The large Chorale and Master Chorale class will be visible to the whole of Delta’s student, faculty, and staff. This greater visibility is expected to result in increased interest and participation in both ensembles, while reducing overhead costs for the Chorale organization, which also supports a vibrant youth choir program.