Vocal Ensembles
Choral Ensembles
Bel Canto
The Azusa Pacific University Bel Canto Women’s Choir, under the direction of Brandon
Chase Di Noto, MM, presents numerous performances each year. With more than 40 years
of service history, the 40-voice ensemble travels extensively, ministering to and
entertaining thousands of people in churches and concert halls locally and worldwide.
In addition to U.S. appearances, Bel Canto has performed internationally in places
as diverse as Romania, Poland, and South Africa in cooperation with APU’s Center for
Student Action. Local destinations include annual appearances at the Disneyland Resort
and the Peter and Masha Plotkin Memorial Art Gallery. On campus, Bel Canto enjoys
ensemble partnerships with many of APU’s other musical ensembles. Annual participation
in APU’s Dinner Rally, Celebrate Christmas, and student-led Liturgical Chapel help
Bel Canto connect with students, staff, faculty and alumni. All Bel Canto students
enjoy the opportunity to study voice with one of the department’s voice faculty. Bel
Canto regularly commissions new works by APU faculty, students, and other renowned
composers, and enjoys additional leadership by graduate assistant directors.
Chamber Singers
The Azusa Pacific University Chamber Singers have become a recognizable and respected name in the global choral scene. The 32-voice mixed ensemble performs works in a variety of musical styles and periods, ranging from early Renaissance to contemporary a cappella. Founded in 2000 by conductor Michelle Jensen, DMA, the ensemble’s high level of performance is a result of talent, discipline, excellent musicianship, and professionalism. Members of the ensemble strive to sharpen their skills as performers, educators, and musicians.
APU Chamber Singers perform locally and abroad. They have toured Australia, Austria, China, Czechia, England, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, and Wales, with featured performances at the Sydney Opera House, St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church) in Leipzig, Basilica San Marcos in Venice, and a special commemoration concert for the 75th anniversary at Buchenwald concentration camp. APU Chamber Singers have collaborated with renowned artists and composers including Morten Lauridsen, Eric Whitacre, and Pentatonix arranger Ben Bram.
In July 2013, APU Chamber Singers were selected to represent the United States at the 50th International Competition of Choirs in Spittal an der Drau, Austria, where they placed first in every category (by the highest margin in competition history) and received the Ferdinand Grossman Award for best performance of a contemporary work for their performance of Whitacre’s “With a Lily in Your Hand.” In 2015, they competed in the prestigious “Choir of the World” competition at the Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales, where they won three first-place and three second-place prizes. In 2023, they competed once more in the Eisteddfod, placing in every category they entered. During the COVID-19 pandemic, their music-making did not stop; their virtual performances placed in the 2020 Interkultur Video Competition and were featured at the 2021 American Choral Directors Association Conference. The ensemble has been selected three times to be a featured ensemble at the prestigious National Collegiate Choral Organization Conference, in 2011, 2015, and 2023.
Gospel Choir
APU’s Gospel Choir combines unique voices with a fresh sound to establish a gospel
music experience that is both artistic and cultural. Combining the gifts and talents
of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, administration, and community
members makes this choir one of the most diverse organizations on campus.
The choir, led by Jonli Tunstall, PhD, performs at special events and at venues such as the Salvation Army, Union Rescue Mission, Desert Bar Association and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Annual Prayer Breakfast. Future plans include studio-recording sessions for various artists, a local area mini-tour, which will include visits to middle and high schools as well as churches in and around the Los Angeles County.
Vocal Groups
East End Vocal Jazz
APU’s East End Vocal Jazz is an elite, audition-based vocal ensemble in the School of the Arts with 10-14 talented singers and a rhythm section. They perform a wide variety of fun and challenging vocal jazz literature under the direction of Bill Cantos, who administrates the Commercial Voice department at APU. Cantos is a vocalist/pianist who has released several solo albums and worked with artists such as Herb Alpert and Lani Hall, Burt Bacharach, and Phil Collins.
East End Vocal Jazz appears in concert around LA, at jazz festivals and local civic events, and is available to perform for private events in Los Angeles County. Their repertoire includes arrangements created by Cantos, especially for the group, and works with deserving student composers/arrangers.
Opera
APU Opera offers comprehensive training for the aspiring singer/actor. Students work
with designers from around the vibrant Los Angeles region, which is host to designers
and artists of national and international renown. APU also frequently hosts master
teachers and guest coaches from global industry-leading companies and conservatories.
APU Opera offers excellent training within a supportive and encouraging environment where singers of all levels can grow and develop, reaching their fullest potential. Along with music and language coaching, students have opportunities for training in stagecraft, acting, makeup, and improvisation. The fall opera scenes and spring production give students ample performance opportunities in opera in addition to their other ensemble responsibilities in the APU School of the Arts. APU Opera is directed by Kristof Van Grysperre.