LA Children’s Chorus Announces Nationwide Search for New Executive Director

David Scheidemantle, Chair of Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC), widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost children’s choirs, announced the choir is conducting a nationwide search for a new executive director to replace outgoing director Rachel Fine, who, after four outstanding years of service, has accepted a position as executive director of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

LACC’s Search Committee includes board members Scheidemantle, Mary Blodgett, Joanne Crawford-Dunér and Rick Roberts, and consultant and former Head of School for 18 years at Westridge School, Fran Norris Scoble. The Search Committee will identify and hire an interim executive director before Fine departs on October 29, 2010, while simultaneously conducting a search for a permanent executive director to lead the organization, currently in its 25th Season.

“This transition reminds us how far LACC has come since its inception in 1986 and gives us an opportunity to look ahead,” says Scheidemantle. “During this 25th anniversary season, we will be shaping LACC’s future in a very meaningful way by hiring a new executive director who will build upon the fine work of Rachel, Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson, the rest of LACC’s exceptional staff, and its dedicated and visionary Board of Directors. Rachel gave LACC four outstanding years, and I believe it is a testament both to her gifts and to LACC’s heightened stature that this career path is available to her. We wish her and LACO, which is very fortunate to have her at the helm, the very best.” 

“It has been an immense pleasure working with Rachel for the past four years,” says Tomlinson, who is celebrating her 15th Anniversary with LACC. “Los Angeles Children’s Chorus has benefited greatly from her commitment, passion for music, and tremendous professionalism. “ 

Los Angeles Children’s Chorus – described by the media as “astonishingly polished,” “hauntingly beautiful,” and “one heck of a talented group of kids” – is recognized throughout the country for its exceptional artistic quality and technical ability. Founded in 1986 and currently led by Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson, LACC performs with such leading organizations as LA Opera, LA Phil, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, LA Master Chorale, LACO, Pasadena Symphony and POPs and Calder Quartet. The chorus’ roster includes more than 350 children aged 6-18 from 60 communities across Los Angeles in six choirs and “First Experiences in Singing” classes for young singers. LACC has toured North and South America, China and Europe, and produced the world-premiere of Keepers of the Night, an opera by Peter Ash and Donald Sturrock. The chorus appeared on LA Master Chorale’s recently released Decca recording “A Good Understanding,” and Plácido Domingo’s Deutsche Grammophon recording “Amore Infinito” (“Infinite Love”). The subject of a trilogy of documentaries by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Freida Lee Mock, LACC is featured in the Academy Award-nominated Sing!, about a year in the life of the choir; Sing Opera!, documenting the production of “Keepers of the Night”; and Sing China!, chronicling its groundbreaking tour to China just prior to the Beijing Olympics. LACC has performed with John Mayer on NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” and was featured on Public Radio International’s nationally syndicated show “From the Top.”