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.

A Christmas Tour of the Hapsburg Empire

Sacred Music from Europe and the New World

“	Since God created the world, it has contained no empire as extensive as that of Spain. For from the sun's rising to its setting, it never ceases to shine for one instant on its lands.	”
			--Francisco Ugarte de Hermosa, 1655

Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, the Habsburg monarchs ruled over the first World Empire, with holdings in Romania, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Bohemia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Northwest Africa, North and South America, the Caribbean, Oceania and the Philippines.. The sacred music of this trans-continental empire is correspondingly diverse, ranging from High Renaissance polyphonic motets to European folk carols to New World compositions strongly influenced by Spanish, Native American and African rhythms and harmonies. Sung in Basque, Catalan, Czech, Flemish, German, Italian, Ladino, Latin, Nahuatl, Romanian and Spanish, this La Jolla Renaissance Singers' eclectic winter program explores the riches of World Music, ca. 1600.

Portrait of Philip IV
Diego Velazquez
National Gallery, London

All performances are free and open to the public.

Concert Schedule

Day	Date	Time	Location
Sunday	December 2	2:30 p.m.	Scripps Ranch Public Library, (10301 Scripps Lake Drive, San Diego)
Wednesday	December 5	7:00 p.m.	St Peter's Church, Del Mar (334 14th Street)
Friday	December 7	5:00 p.m.	San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park (1450 El Prado)
Monday	December 10	7:30 p.m.	Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, San Diego (10818 San Diego Mission Road)
Sunday	January 6	3:00 p.m.	St Mary Magdalene Church, Bay Park (1945 Illion St)

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.

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
Spring 2007