On September 23, 1968, a group of singers gathered at the University of California, Irvine to begin rehearsals for a performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s Elijah under the direction of Maurice Allard. The chorus organizers had anticipated a turnout of 100 singers to audition. They had more than twice that number show, inspired by the opportunity to share the love of choral music with their community. This would be the beginning of one of Orange County’s longest continuously operating performing organizations. Originally functioning as an extension of UCI, we quickly established our independence as the Irvine Master Chorale. When Dr. Allard left our organization in 1972, the board selected John Alexander to take over the artistic leadership. Alexander would go on to conduct the Chorale for a remarkable 45 seasons.