Fallbrook Chorale welcomes new director

FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Chorale has announced that Denny Lang will be its new musical director, succeeding Art Blodgett. The chorale has been under the direction of Blodgett since February 2007. During that time, Blodgett has encouraged ensemble participation and the full chorale has grown from approximately 30 members to over 60 mixed voices. Concerts were presented each spring and during the Christmas season and this past Memorial Day, the chorale performed Americana music on KUSI TV “Good Morning San Diego.”

Blodgett is retiring as Fallbrook Chorale director so that he can focus on his ministry work as chaplain for the South Riverside County Hospice Society. His extraordinary patience, sense of humor and musical interpretation will be missed by chorale members who wish him the very best in his new career.

Lang comes to Fallbrook with a wide range of musical experience. He graduated from USC with a bachelor of music degree, doing his graduate work in choral conducting at USC, Occidental College and UCLA. With experience conducting both sacred and secular choral music, Lang built highly respected music programs at Foothills United Methodist Church in La Mesa (17 years) and Fallbrook Presbyterian Church (7 years). In addition to Sunday service, his choirs regularly presented community concert series comprised of light/pops and serious/major works with orchestra.

For the past 10 years, Lang has served as artistic director of the Imperial Valley Choral Society, directing the Imperial Valley Master Chorale. Under his direction, the Master Chorale has grown into about 50 members including Imperial Valley College students. Under Lang’s tutelage, the Imperial Valley Master Chorale has performed on two occasions at Carnegie Hall directed by John Rutter in his “Magnificat” and “Requiem.” Lang is well known for his carefully crafted programs, as well as his light-hearted approach in presenting fun and challenging programs.

Lang’s debut with the Fallbrook Chorale will occur on Dec. 14 with the annual Christmas concert.