HBESS - Music

NICK STRIMPLE
Nick Strimple, is a member of the choral faculty in the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, and Director of Music at Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church. His critically acclaimed book, Choral Music in the Twentieth Century, was released in 2002.
As a guest conductor, he has performed with the Philharmonia Orchestra of London, the Nuremberg Symphony, the Ensemble Vocal d'Aquitaine, the Slovak Radio Orchestra, the Janác¼ek Philharmonic, the Prague Radio Choir, the New York Oratorio Society, the Hans Sachs Choir, and the Oregon Bach Festival, among others. His recordings of 20th century choral music are released on the Naxos, Music & Arts, and 4-Tay labels. He has also prepared choruses for some of the world's greatest conductors, including Zubin Mehta, Michael Tilson-Thomas and Gerard Schwarz.
As a respected composer, Strimple has written concert and liturgical works, as well as film and television scores, and has served as arranger, or choral arranger, for Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart, Air Supply, and other leading artists.
Nick Strimple also serves as music director of the Choral Society of Southern California, the Los Angeles Zimriyah Chorale, and the Los Angeles Vocal & Instrumental Ensemble ("la vie").Please visit his website www.nickstrimple.com


NANCY RUCZYNSKI Nancy Ruczynski, organist and accompanist, pursued her musical studies at Cal State Northridge and UCLA as a Regents and Chancellors Scholar. Ms. Ruczynski currently serves as organist at Bel Air Presbyterian Church and accompanist to the Paulist Choristers of California. Formerly, she served as organist at Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Hollywood, where she developed an annual organ concert series as well as an outreach music education program for children. In addition to her performance activities, Ms. Ruczynski has composed several hundred hymn arrangements and reharmonizations. Currently, she studies organ with Dr. Tiothy Howard.


HOLMAN UMC CHOIR Great Music has always been a part of the worship experience at Holman. As Holman Church grew, so did the need for a larger and more varied music Program. Dr. J. David Bowick was the architect of that program. Under his direction, the choir sang anthems, spirituals, and contemporary gospel. Spirituals became a staple at Holman with the annual Negro Spirituals Concert as a highlight of the choir year. In addition, the choir performed works by Handel, Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Brahms with the LA Philharmonic and the Southeast Symphony. Dr. Bowick directed the choir at various times for a total of twenty-five years. Dr. Gwendolyn Wyatt, Wilbert Howard, and Charles Dickerson followed and continued to bring its message to the congregation and to the community. Under these directors, the choir further expanded its repertoire and found new ways to reach the community and the world. The choir's program is now in the hands of William Campbell, Jr. Dr. Raleigh Basting is the organist. While some members of the choir are trained musicians, the majority of its members are dedicated volunteer singers who join their voices to praise God in song. Membership is unique in that there are no paid singers in the choir. New members are always welcome. The Holman Choir sings 1st and 2nd Sundays at 8 and 11 a.m. and 4th and 5th Sundays at 8 a.m. only.

WE FIVE Folk rock favorites WE FIVE are familiar to millions for hit recordings including “You Were On My Mind,” “The First Time” and “Walk On By.” The San Francisco group was nominated for the “Best New Artist” Grammy in 1965. During its original ten-years and five albums, the group toured colleges and arenas, as well as performing on TV programs including Shindig, Hullabaloo, and American Bandstand. The WE FIVE REVIVAL continues its tradition of harmonic vocals, acoustic and electric instruments, and jazz-flavored folk rock. The remarkable reunion is composed of Mike Stewart and Jerry Burgan, who formed the original group at the University of San Francisco; singer Debbie Burgan, who joined as lead singer in 1967; keyboardist Ray Scantlin, who also joined in 1967; musician Terry Rangno, notable for his career as a child actor (Lassie, Ozzie & Harriet); and Jerry and Debbie’s son, guitarist Chris Burgan. It’s a bright, refreshing, and nostalgic step back to a time of new beginnings.www.wefive.net


eCHORDS Formed in the year 2000, eChords is a singing group composed of young adults who became actively engaged and dedicated to sharing God's "e”ternal love through music and "e”vangelizing in harmony, thus, the name "eChords.” The group, currently recording and raising funds, serves as a powerful witnessing force for the Seventh-day Adventist Fellowship in the Valley, meeting in North Hollywood. eChords represents the Filipino community in performances throughout California. They have shared Christian ministry with The Philadelphian Chorale, the Northridge Choir, and the Alhambra Choir and they have been blessed to sing with recording artists Ullanda Innocent-Palmer and Shalonda A. Sims. eChords holds eternally true to their mission, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father, for everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." (Eph 5:19,20)

	SADOC CHRISTIAN SINGERS The SADOC CHRISTIAN SINGERS was established in 1985 under the direction of Bro Wesley Millsap. The Sadoc Christian Singers entered the 1988 A.C.C. Gospel Search Placing 3rd. We entered the McDonalds Gospel fest in 1988 and 1989 and both years we made it to the finals, placing 3rd in the finals in the year of 1989. In the year 1990 we entered the Martin Luther King Jr. Songfest competition and won 1st place. Entering the McDonalds Gospel fest once again in 1991, being one of the finalist we won 1st place at the Shrine auditorium. The Sadoc Christian Singers is a Gospel group who seeks higher heights in the Gospel Industry.
The Sadoc Christian Singers also features the Sadoc Band under the direction of Bro. Wesley Millsap who accompanies the McDonalds Gospel Fest each year as the house band for tryouts and the Semi-finals; they have also accompanied Gospel Artist Beverly Crawford. Bro. Keith Williams, who has directed the Singers for 12years, also directed the GMWA in Cincinnati, OH and New Orleans, LA. Which is consisted of 3000 or more voices, he is also the Lead Singer for the SADOC Christian Singers. Min. Magdalene Millsap who has been with the singers for 12 years who has also recorded with the GMWA and wrote many songs for the Singers and a song featured on Mountain High, Valley Low album for Grammy Award Winner Yolanda Adams. In 2004, she went on ministry at Jerusalem called “Heart to Heart Peace Ministry in Holy Land” where thousand are gathered to sing along with her to worship God to bring peace in Middle East. Keith Williams and Magdalene Millsap are both appointed as “Peace Ambassadors” who also support and bring powerful Gospel music to American Clergy Leadership Conference Prayer Breakfast Meeting. And our motto is without God I can do nothing, but with God all things are possible and we could not have made it this far if it had not been for the LORD on our side.


LOS ANGELES PILGRIM MEN’S CHORUS Founded in 1994 under the baton of Musical Director, Dr. Jeong W. Jin, the stated goal of the LAPMC is the attainment of the highest musical excellence in presenting music of both the Western and English genres. The choir has received critical acclaim from world renowned choral masters such as Donald Neuen and Paul Salamunovich. The LAPMC has been participating in the Inter-Cultural Performing Arts Festival since 1996. It performs at the renowned Wadsworth Theater in Westwood and gives annual performances at the Schoenberg Hall, UCLA, as well as many other prestigious concert halls. The Choir, accompanied by Mrs. Hyun-Joo Hong, is conducted by Pastor Shin-Eui Kang, who is currently the Music Director of L.A. Pilgrim Men’s Chorus and Hosanna Ladies Ensemble. He is also founder and president of International Hosanna Music Mission. The Chorus has captured its musical excellence and artistry on three compact discs and is proud to be part of today’s glorious celebration.


EWHA CHORALE Ewha Chorale was founded in 1991 and is comprised of Alumni of the Ewha Girls High School. Mrs. Mary Scranton, a Christian Missionary with a strong commitment to women's education, founded the school n 1886. The Chorale traveled to the Lincoln Center in New York in 2000 where Ewha Alumni from Korea, Chicago and New York performed. The Hartford College of Oxford University played host for the Ewha performance of "A Chorale Evening" and two years ago the Chorale performed "The Friendship Concert" at the Cerritos Performing Art Center. Ewha Chorale is conducted by Young Ok Kang, the music director, and is proud to perform for the third time at the Hollywood Bowl Easter Sunrise Service.


NCM2 NCM2 is a Japanese choir that began twenty-six years ago in Los Angeles. Singers are drawn from various protestant churches in the area. The choir has performed mission concerts throughout Japan and Hawaii, as well as in local Japanese-American communities. A third mission tour is planned for Japan this coming November. NCM2, which stands for ‘New Christian Music Ministry,’ has recorded five CDs in the United States and plans to release its first CD in Japan through Universal Music later this year. The choir, directed by music producer Yoshio J. Maki, is delighted to participate in the Hollywood Bowl Easter Sunrise Service for the very first time. NCM2 will sing the following song a cappella.


BRENDA LEE EAGER and T.H.E. CHOIR This wonderful group of generous spirits were assembled two and a half years ago as the City of Angels Choir at the City of Angels Church in Culver City, CA. Inspired by the late Reverend O.C. Smith and Rev. Robbie Smith, the Choir consists of beautiful souls who want to make a difference in peoples lives and help to heal and inspire wherever they perform. Under the direction of world renown singer, songwriter Brenda Lee Eager who took over the Choir in 2006, this small choir makes miracles wherever they go. The songs are infectious and universal. They perform new material written by Miss Eager and do wonderful renditions of classics that still stir the passion of the Christ in the hearts of all who hears them. Look for their new CD soon to be released. Their joy is to bring joy. Now that the City of Angels Church is no longer, the Choir still carries on the dream of Rev. O.C. and Robbie Smith, as Brenda Lee Eager and T.H.E. Choir “The Heaven on Earth Choir,” who will inspire you and love you with their music.


HOLLYWOOD BALLET – Rick Heiman Begun in 2007, Hollywood Ballet is founded on the belief that dance is the physical expression of music and the human spirit. It is part of the Hollywood Ballet mission to provide an opportunity for talented "pre-professional" dancers to perform in programs alongside Hollywood Ballet dancers, as a companion dance group called Hollywood Dance Company. Teens participating in Hollywood Dance Company are charged no fees for rehearsals, performances, or master classes. The performance group for the Easter Sunrise Service includes Hollywood Ballet dancers, pre-professional and guest adult dancers, and are Heather Freire, Jaqilyn Graff, Johnna Griffin, Natalie Grina, Victoria Legumina, Samantha Mellon, Jacqueline Scahill, and Tassianna Thackeray. Artistic Director Rick Heiman is a member of the American Guild of Musical Artists and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. His choreography has been presented throughout the USA and in Europe. Rick choreographs for concert dance, musical theater and film, and teaches dance throughout Southern California. Rick is also on the faculty of Encore High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Hollywood Ballet is fiscally sponsored by the Dancers Resource Center of Los Angeles, a 501c-3 organization which administers and monitors all funds received in support of Hollywood Ballet. For upcoming Hollywood Ballet and Hollywood Dance Company performances please visit www.hollywoodballet.com.

LOS ANGELES CITYWIDE CHILDREN’S CHRISTIAN CHOIR (LA4C)
Peggy Richmond is the Founder, Director, and Composer of the LA4C and Director of Children’s Music and Worship at Glendale Presbyterian Church. Peggy has been involved in children’s choirs since she was five years old. She began directing choirs during her college days and into adulthood until signed as a recording artist for a subsidiary of Decca Records. On the road as a professional musician for fifteen years, she felt God’s call to resume her commitment to children and Christian Music. In 1994, Ms. Richmond directed the 1,000 member children’s choir for the Luis Palao Crusade in the San Fernando Valley. Gathered from four different rehearsal locations throughout the Valley, this effort was so successful that Ms. Richmond carried it to the County of Los Angeles and LA4C was formed. The Choir is in its seventh season with 125 members and a future goal of 1,000. The Choir has appeared on television shows, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and has recorded a CD-ROM for Walt Disney CD-ROM for Walt Disney, as well as releasing its own first CD recording. The choir performed in the Living Cross Chorus for the first time in 2000. In June of 2006 LA4C participated in the International Mozart Choral Festival, marking the 250th year of Mozart’s birth. This is their third appearance in the Easter Sunrise Service. To join the choir or for more information please call (818) 242-8873 ext.249 or visit www.la4c.com.

TRADITIONAL EASTER SUNRISE YOUTH CHORUS
THE “LIVING CROSS” STORY
The Easter Sunrise Youth Chorus is the oldest tradition of the Easter Service. It was introduced in 1922 by Hugo Kirchhoffer, Choral Director of the Community Sing, sponsors of the first (1919) outdoor Easter dawn event. The children, seated in a Latin Cross formation, are attired in black robes. They rise at a signal from their Conductor, and in a dramatic, precise motion drop their outer capes, standing revealed in snow-white vestments as a massive “Living Cross,” singing “Christ the Lord is Risen today.” Since the first Easter observance at the Bowl, it has always been a community-wide multi-denominational event and children come from all areas and churches.

Today it includes children from third generation Easter Service families. A Fund Drive is now under way to raise money to rebuild the large, permanent cross structure on which the Youth Chorus sits, and participates as a living symbol of the Resurrection. During the five years that the Easter Service had to be moved from the Hollywood Bowl due to major reconstruction and improvements, the large metal and wooden structure fell victim to the outdoor elements and for the children’s safety, had to be destroyed. NOW THE REBUILDING BEGINS BY RAISING FUNDS TO BUILD A PERMANENT LIVING CROSS STRUCTURE FOR 2007. For information call (323) 460-7170 or visit the website www.hollywoodbowleaster.org.

INTERNATIONAL PEACE CHOIR
In 2008 the INTERNATIONAL PEACE CHOIR, INC. is proudly celebrating its 21st anniversary and 10th appearance in the Hollywood Bowl Easter Sunrise Service. These Ambassadors, aged 5-18, based in Long Beach proudly perform all over Southern California spreading Peace with their message in worldwide song and dance. They have performed in Australia, Washington, DC; Salt Lake City, UT; Atlanta, GA; and Nashville, TN, plus a tour through Kentucky and New York. Their Coordinator for this event is Nancy Lee Allen. For further information on the Choir, including auditions and performances, please contact the Music Directors, Marci Levins or Alissa Rose at (562) 420-6818.