Many people send us questions asking if the songs on this page were recorded during private recording sessions, but all pieces that we post on this page are indeed live performances (If you can't already tell by people caughing in the background...)
Also, if you would like to contact the student officer or the director and would prefer to not use MySpace, please email us at: [email protected]
Hello! We are the Irvine Singers from Irvine High School in Irvine, California. Irvine High School is a Grammy Signature Gold School for the performing arts. The Irvine Singers is considered the "top" or elite choir at Irvine High School. The Irvine Singers is quite arguably the best high school choir in the Irvine School District and one of the best in Orange County. Currently, our choir is under the direction of Mr. Richard Messenger. He has been the only choral music teacher here at this school since it opened nearly thirty years ago. We sing a variety of music ranging from chamber choir pieces such as "David's Lamentation" all the way to fun choreographed pieces such as "We Go Together." The Irvine Singers is well known throughout the city and county. The California State University of Fullerton choral festival considers the Irvine Singers a "Superior" choir because of great sight-singing abilities and great performance abilities. The Irvine Singers has been rated "Superior" for many years now. The Irvine Singers has had the honor of constantly meeting great Choral Directors and Composers from around the world such as Westin Noble, Peter Boyer, Eric Whitacre, John Byun, John Alexander, Dr. Robert Istad, and many more. Other choirs at Irvine High include the Treble Chorus, Bass Chorus, IHS Chorale, and the new Jazz Choir (new name to be determined). Irvine Singers continues to out-do the rest. Lastly and most of all, enjoy our music. We would love feedback!
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:
RICHARD MESSENGER, director, began his teaching career in Emmetsburg, Iowa, in 1969, following graduation from Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska. He moved to California in 1976 to do graduate studies at California State University in Fullerton. In 1977, he became Choral Music Director at Irvine High School. Since 2003, he has been an Adjunct Professor of Music Education at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa.
Mr. Messenger has directed church choirs throughout his career. Since 2000, he has been the adult choir director at St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach. He has served as Orange County president and as state president of the Choral Conductors Guild, now known as the National Association of Church Musicians.
Mr. Messenger was Assistant Conductor of the Pacific Chorale from 1983-1997. During his tenure with Pacific Chorale, he produced concerts at the Orange County Performing Arts Center and coordinated concert performances with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony, Pasadena Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He organized Pacific Chorale tours to Europe, the Baltic States and Russia, and to China. He continues to assist Pacific Chorale in recording projects.
Richard Messenger has served on the Executive Board of the California Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and has served as chairman of the ACDA Repertoire and Standards Committee for the state of California. He has been honored as Irvine High School teacher of the Year, High School Teacher of the Year for the Irvine Unified School District, and Secondary Vocal Arts Educator for Orange County. Mr. Messenger is definitely one person you would be glad to have studied with.
ABOUT THE ACCOMPANIST:
JILL BRENNER, accompanist, is a graduate of the University of Missouri at Kansas City with a degree in piano performance. Both of Jill's daughters are graduates of Irvine High School. In addition to her duties at Irvine High School, Jill is the pianist at the Irvine United Congregational Church. She has been honored as Classified Employee of the Year for the Irvine Unified School District. Mrs. Brenner is in demand as accompanist for soloists, small groups, and other choral groups in Orange County, and weddings. This is her nineteenth year as accompanist for the Irvine High School choral music program. She is one amazing woman!
