View source for Orange County Mormon Choral Organization

[[image: Orange_County_Mormon_Choral_Organization.jpg|350px|right|alt=Mormon Orange County Mormon Choral Organization|Orange County Mormon Choral Organization]]The '''Orange County Mormon Choral Organization''', also called OCMCO is located in Southern California, U.S.A., and sponsors six choral and instrumental performing ensembles for adults and children.  Most of the participants are members of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], but the ensembles are open to people of all faiths with shared values.  The six musical divisions are

*The Orange County Mormon Choir (Adults)
*The Concert Choir (high school, 14-18)
*The Youth Chorus (ages 10-14)
*The Children's Chorus (ages 6-10)
*The Sunbeam Chorus (ages 4-6)
*The Orange County Mormon Symphony Orchestra

The organization is an "independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in order to teach and encourage excellence in quality and sacred music."   Its primary purpose is to provide a unique and unsurpassed level of music education to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Orange County.  The organization provides an invaluable learning environment whereby children, youth, and adults can associate with and share talents with those who maintain upstanding values.  Members of OCMCO can acquire an unsurpassed music education through weekly rehearsals.  The organization uses rehearsal sessions not only to teach and expose the singers to various sacred works and hymn arrangements, but also to teach the fundamentals of singing technique, conducting, and an appreciation of quality music.  All choirs perform in state-of-the-art concert halls accompanied by an orchestra.  Performing in such venues helps build music and musicians to a level of artistry that many latter-day prophets have foretold.

Quarterly concerts offer the recurring opportunity to be edified and inspired by fine choral and orchestral music, including stirring, inspirational hymn arrangements. Members of all faiths are encouraged to attend.

The directors of OCMCO are LDS brothers, Brett and Brandon Stewart.  Brett Stewart has a bachelor's degree in Piano Performance from [[Brigham Young University]], a master's degree in Choral Conducting from California State University, Long Beach, and is anticipating a doctoral degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.  He is a conductor, composer, pianist, and vocalist.  Brandon Stewart holds a bachelor's degree in Piano Performance from Brigham Young University, and a master's degree in Piano Performance from The Juilliard School.  Brandon is a pianist, vocalist, and conductor. [http://www.ocmco.org/ABOUTOCMCO/TheDirectors/tabid/72/Default.aspx]

In 2010 the 200 member adult choir performed an original, 34-movement oratorio composed and written by Brett Stewart, called the ''Messiah in America''.  The performances were held in Segerstrom Hall in Orange County.  The 90-piece OCMCO orchestra participated with the choir with soloists Erin Morley (soprano), Francesca Forsyth (mezzo soprano), [[George Dyer]] (tenor), and John Huntington (bass).[http://www.ocmco.org/portals/0/home/OCMCO_Release_20100401.pdf]  Both performances of the oratorio were sold out.  [http://mormontimes.com/arts_entertainment/music/?id=14241&hStack=1]

In 2011 the choir and orchestra made a recording of the oratorio, with four soloists and 700 musicians joining the choir.  The recording of the CD took over 50 hours.  

:"There is no better time to release such a Christ-centered work as 'Messiah in America' than during the Christmas season," Susan Stephensen, executive director of the Mormon Choral Organizations of America, said in a statement. "We are confident that the work will be appreciated by both classical and sacred music lovers, and by professionals in the world of choral and orchestral music."

"Messiah in America" is available on iTunes, [http://www.cdbaby.com CD Baby.com], and at a local retailers. For more information, visit [http://www.messiahinamerica.com Messiah in America.com]. [http://www.dailypilot.com/entertainment/tn-dpt-1216-zint-20111214,0,4110351.story]

[[Category:Mormon Life and Culture]]