The downward slope of San Diego's choral music

I’ve come to the conclusion that August and September are, by far, my least favorite months of the year. There are several reasons, not least among them is the disgusting weather, pre-season football, and summer pops concerts.

The San Diego Symphony has added to my anticipation of October by releasing their fall schedule at The Rady Shell and Jacob’s Park. Friday, October 1, 2022, could be the most excellent symphony concert The Shell has hosted. It could also be a disaster.

Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem is scheduled to be performed. Verdi’s Requiem is a vocal tour de force for not just the soloist but for the chorus as well. The San Diego Master Chorale will be providing the chorus.

I started writing this column in October of 2010. In all that time I’ve yet to be impressed by the San Diego Master Chorale. I’ve been satisfied, I’ve been disappointed, I’ve been nonplussed by the praise lavished upon them by other publications, but I’ve never been impressed.

There is nothing I want more than to be impressed by the Master Chorale. However, I don’t foresee that being the case with Verdi and his masterful Requiem. I assure you, I’m no hater but I’m also no liar. I’m not very popular with the members of the Master Chorale.

The phenomenon is not just limited to The Master Chorale. The San Diego Symphony Chorus isn’t what it used to be. The local church music programs that used to be quite prominent have declined.

The San Diego Symphony will need to find a fix for this. The Los Angeles and Orange County Master Chorales are excellent. They are well funded and pay for union singers to be a part of their respective choruses. This gives The LA Philharmonic and The Pacific Symphony access to what amounts to professional choruses. The San Diego Symphony does not have that luxury.

The consequence is that The San Diego Symphony’s performances of the great choral masterpieces will be unbalanced. The gap between the abilities of the orchestra and chorus will continue to grow as the San Diego Symphony refines its music-making abilities.

The solution isn’t an easy one. I don’t foresee the San Diego Symphony spending the money to create a San Diego Symphony Chorus although that would be incredible if it happened. Until the symphony decides to take action, I will be forced to continue the unpleasant practice of criticizing a group of singers who love music, who are dedicated to music, and who provide a vital element for the San Diego classical music community.