When Dr. Ball first joined the Cypress College faculty in 1981 there were only seven singers enrolled. The department now has six vocal ensembles which employ the talents of over 250 singers, and is generally acknowledged as one of the finest community-based choral music programs in the Southern California.

The Cypress Choirs have toured Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece, Israel, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Russia, and have performed in New York's famed Carnegie Hall on three separate occasions. They have appeared at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, the Hollywood Bowl, and sang a Mass at the Vatican in Rome (as part of their Mediterranean concert tour). In the Summer of 2003, their tour agenda will include performances in New Zealand and Australia with a special appearance at the famed Sydney Opera House.

CYPRESS MASTERWORKS CHORALE (est. 1975)

The Masterworks Chorale, a symphonic chorus composed of 75 to 130 singers (depending upon repertoire), is currently celebrating its 21st season under the direction of Dr. Sheridan Ball. During that time the Chorale has presented some of the world's finest music to an ever widening audience. The Mozart Requiem, Handel's Messiah, Carmina Burana, the Bach B minor Mass, Magnificat and Christmas Oratorio, the Brahms Requiem, Poulenc Gloria, Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem, Beethoven Mass In C, Verdi Requiem, Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms .... the list is extensive and encompasses a vast repertoire from the library of choral/orchestral music.

In addition to its regular classical repertoire, the Chorale also presents a lighter, variety concert each spring and participates in regional music festivals. The ensemble rehearses on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., and the entire membership of the Masterworks Chorale is re-auditioned each season. In order to maintain membership, each singer is required to display competence in musicianship skills as well as essential vocal ability.

Madrigal Singers (est. 2002)

The Madrigal Singers are the most recent addition to the list of Cypress vocal ensembles. This group sings a cappella music from the vast repertoire of Renaissance madrigals and performs at music festivals and community events throughout the spring season. For singers who enjoy this special repertoire, the Madrigal Singers provides the perfect vehicle to once again experience the wealth of material available in this most charming, elegant and often humorous music of the vocal arts.

The Madrigal Singers rehearse once a week during the Spring semester - Thursday evenings from 7-9:00 PM. Interested singers are encouraged to contact Dr. Ball for more information.

Cypress Jazz Singers (est. Spring 1995)

The Cypress Jazz Singers is a Vocal Jazz ensemble designed to accommodate a wide range of music skill levels - from beginning to advanced performers. With an emphasis upon classic, vocal jazz techniques, the singers are encouraged to prepare and perform solo material, in addition to their ensemble repertoire.

In addition to their regular concert schedule, the Cypress Jazz Singers perform at local high schools, collegiate and community jazz festivals and various music events throughout the region.

The Jazz Singers Eclypse rehearse twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 Noon to 2:30 PM. Singers interested in Vocal Jazz or Musical Theater are encouraged to contact the director, Ms. Kate Reid, at: (714) 484-8490.