Ohlone Chamber Singers

The Ohlone Chamber Singers meet on the Ohlone College campus on Tuesday evenings from 7-9 pm during the regular school term (August through May).

The Chamber Singers first appeared, in their present incarnation, in 1987, under the direction of its current Musical Director Dennis L. Keller. The choir currently numbers 32 auditioned voices composed of adult singers representing seventeen San Francisco Bay Area communities. The group is also available to talented College students. The choir performs an eclectic array of literature extending back to the Renaissance and through the most contemporary idioms. Although the group sings literature from all periods their tendency is music from the late Romantic and Contemporary eras, and folk arrangements from around the world.

Since 1989 the Chamber Singers have been heard in concert on seven European tours performing in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Scotland, and Poland where they have performed to critical acclaim. The choir has performed concerts in many spectacular settings, including Chartres Cathedral, Ste. Chapelle in Paris, Basilica San Marcos in Venice, the Duomo in Florence, the Dom Cathedral in Salzburg and Saint Thomas Kirche in Leipzig. We had a very successful concert tour of the People’s Republic of China. Our itinerary included Beijing, Dalian, Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

The Choir has released five studio-recorded compact discs. In addition, we have a compact disc of our second friend/raiser recital, featuring soprano Janet Holmes. The Chamber Singers season also includes the annual “Masterworks” Series concert, which features the choir with orchestral accompaniment, performing the seminal works of choral literature from all historical epochs.

Our Conductor

While Dennis Keller spends a year teaching in China, the Chamber Singers will be directed by Michael Morris.

Michael is a well known and respected conductor, director, voice teacher, and professional baritone known throughout the SF Bay Area for some 34 years. Michael received his Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the College of Notre Dame in Belmont and his Bachelor of Music degree from San Francisco State University in Vocal Education.  Michael served as the Music Director for Los Altos Conservatory Theater (now Bus Barn) from 1982-1990 where he directed some 25 musicals including The Fantastiks, A Little Night Music, South Pacific, and Once Upon a Mattress. He has been a regular Music Director and Conductor for Lyric Theatre of San Jose, having directed 12 productions since 1996 such as HMS Pinafore, Die Fledermaus, Naughty Marietta, and most recently Carousel. Michael has also served as the Stage Director for Mission City opera in the productions La Traviata, Carmen, and The Magic Flute. Michael has also served as the Music Director for Saint Simons Catholic Church, Saint Jude the Apostle in Cupertino, and Los Altos United Methodist. In addition, he was the Director of Choral Activities at Holy Names College in Oakland and the College of Notre Dame in Belmont. Michael currently teaches private voice at his own studio, the Michael Morris Studio.