Mormon Choral Organizations of America

MCOA performing an oratorio in the Mesa Arts Center's Ikeda Theater, in 2011

The Mormon Choral Organizations of America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization made up of the Orange County Mormon Choral Organization (OCMCO) and the East Valley Mormon Choral Organization (EVMCO). Each locale houses six choral ensembles and a symphony orchestra.

Approach

Participants are made up of volunteers that range from age four through adults in age-appropriate ensembles. The adult choir and symphony orchestra are auditioned ensembles. Even though the choir is made of volunteers, it requires a strict code of conduct. This code of conduct is in place to help the volunteers maintain a professional level of attentiveness to their duties even though they receive no compensation.

As a non-profit charitable organization, its products and services are entirely independent of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is composed of members of the LDS Church and members of other faiths.

History

The Orange County Mormon Choral Organization of Newport Beach, Orange County, California was founded in 2007. The East Valley Mormon Choral Organization in Mesa, Arizona, Arizona was added in 2009, and the two locales became the "Mormon Choral Organizations of America."

OCMCO released its debut album, That Easter Morn, in 2009. Mormon Choral Organizations of America will release its debut album, the oratorio Messiah in America, in the fall of 2011.

Directors

Brett Stewart is a conductor, composer, pianist, and vocalist. The oldest of the two Stewarts, he did his doctoral studies in choral conducting at the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music, his master's studies in choral conducting at the music department of California State University, Long Beach, and his bachelor's studies in piano performance at Brigham Young University. His mentors include Earl Rivers, Stephen Coker, Dale Warland, Jonathan Talberg, Ronald Staheli, Rosalind Hall, Mack Wilberg, Jeffrey Shumway, Joseph Matthews, Ted Reid, and Susan Bana.

Brett Stewart currently resides in Fountain Valley, California, where he oversees the arraignment and composition of the music for both choirs and orchestras. He is also the primary director of the Orange County, California division of the Mormon Choral Group (OCMCO).

Brandon Stewart is a pianist, vocalist, and conductor. Brandon has studied piano, voice, chamber music, and choral music throughout his schooling. He did his master's studies in piano performance at the Juilliard School, and his bachelor's studies in piano performance at Brigham Young University. His mentors include Jerome Lowenthal, Stephen Clapp, Judith Clurman, Irene Peery-Fox, Clayne Robison, Rosalind Hall, Ronald Staheli, Ted Reid, and Susan Bana.

In addition to to conducting and performing, Brandon maintains a voice and piano studio in Gilbert, Arizona. He is the current director of the East Valley branch of the Mormon Choral Group (EVMCO), based in Mesa, Arizona.

References

• Choral arrangement depicts Christ's visit to the American continent, KSL-TV, 2011-06-04, http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=15839370 
• Bowler, Hillary (2011-06-02), "Mormon choir's shows sell out", Deseret News, http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705373774/Mormon-choirs-shows-sell-out.html 
• Newton, Catherine Reese (2011-06-02), "And another grand-sized Mormon chorus", The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/entertainment/51932749-81/stewart-america-mormon-brandon.html.csp 
• Zint, Bradley (2011-05-02), "Classically Trained: Singing on a high note at the Segerstrom Center", Daily Pilot, http://www.dailypilot.com/entertainment/tn-dpt-0503-zint-20110502,0,2340876.story 
• Perera, Srianthi (2010-05-15), "Ecumenical singers, musicians share passion for music", The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/05/13/20100513sev-mormonchoir0515.html 
• Swegles, Fred (2009-03-24), "Family, orchestra find unity in music", The Orange County Register, http://articles.ocregister.com/2009-03-24/cities/24653842_1_christmas-concert-patriotic-concert-orchestra 
• "That Easter morn", LDS Church News, 2008-03-29, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/51775/That-Easter-morn.html 
• Gillum, Gary, Messiah in America, BYU Studies (web only review), http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=8688 

External links

• Official website of the Mormon Choral Organizations of America
  • Official website of the Orange County Mormon Choral Organization
  • Official website of the East Valley Mormon Choral Organization