The La Jolla Renaissance Singers

Since 1964, the La Jolla Renaissance Singers (formerly the UCSD Madrigal Singers) have been bringing the finest of early European choral music to the San Diego area. Based in La Jolla, California, the elite choir draws members from across the county.

The 25-member group performs a cappella vocal music written from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, with occasional forays into the Romantic and Modern periods.

In period costume, the group performs in concert halls, museums, and churches, as well as in libraries, parks, and for private parties.

Conductor William H. C. Propp has been Professor of Ancient History and Judaic Studies at the University of California, San Diego, since 1983, and director of the La Jolla Renaissance Singers since 2001. In addition to his choral activities, he is an accomplished pianist and bassoonist. His informative commentaries, and occasional instrumental performances, enliven the group’s appearances.

10 Carols and a Mass:

Traditional Christmas Music from Romania

Missa Hodie Christus Natus Est by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594)

The extended choral Mass of the High Renaissance was originally performed in sections, separated by the business of worship. The greatest of Italian sacred composers, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, produced over a hundred settings of the mass. The La Jolla Renaissance Singers will perform Palestrina's sumptuous, double-choir mass Hodie Christus Natus Est (On This Day Christ Was Born). Between the movements, we'll sing a selection of Romanian carols little known in America, songs influenced by the region's pre-Christian heritage.

Giovani Pierluigi da Palestrina

All performances are free and open to the public, unless otherwise indicated.

Concert Schedule

Day	Date	Time	Location
Friday	Dec 5	5:00 p.m.	San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park (1450 El Prado)
Monday	Dec 10	7:00 p.m.	St. Anne's Catholic Church (621 Sicard St., San Diego)*
Sunday	Dec 14	8:00 p.m.	St. Peter's Episcopal Church (334 14th St., Del Mar)
Sun	Jan 4	8:00 p.m.	St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church (1945 Illion St., San Diego, San Diego)

*This performance of the mass will accompany the liturgy, as in Palestrina's time, and will not include the Romanian Carols.

The La Jolla Renaissance Singers rehearse weekly on Wednesday evenings in La Jolla. Since the group rehearses without accompaniment, sight-reading ability is essential. To schedule an audition, please contact the conductor. We are especially seeking basses.

To receive email notification of our appearances, or to hire us for performance, please contact the concert manager.

Past programs

Spring 2003
Fall 2003
Spring 2004
Fall 2004
Spring 2005
Fall 2005
Spring 2006
Fall 2006
Spring 2007
Fall 2007
Spring 2008