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A Note from the Director:

To say de Angelis has been "a work in progress” would not be an understatement. I have been daydreaming about this ensemble and its various permutations for the past twenty years and several figures have helped shape the dream into a reality. Thoughts about an ensemble first began to take shape while completing my undergraduate work in choral conducting with Dr. Harold Decker, from the University of Illinois, Urbana. Dr. Decker was keenly aware of my love of early music and he shared freely his thoughts and knowledge regarding its performance. Dr. Gordon Paine, from California State University, Fullerton, was the first person to bring to my attention the importance of flawless tuning and the added benefit of the overtones this tuning brings. From these beginnings de Angelis began to take shape. Later in my career, I was fortunate to participate in a summer study program of Gregorian Chant with Dr. Theodore Marier at Catholic University in Washington D.C. I would take part in chant study classes in the morning hours, then walk across campus to sing with Dr. Leo Nestor, Director of Music for the National Shrine. My studies with these two men provided the missing pieces needed to complete the concept of de Angelis. These past few months a concept has become a reality. De Angelis is a select ensemble of eighteen professional singers dedicated to the art of choral music. We strive to create a sound worthy of the music we perform. Our ensemble is a non-profit organization, which does more than fill a void, but one that creates both beauty and art.


Matthew Gray, Artistic Director

Matthew Gray is the Founder, Conductor and Artistic Director of Southern California’s outstanding professional choir, the de Angelis Vocal Ensemble.

Mr. Gray completed his under graduate studies in choral conducting with Dr. Harold Decker, from the University of Illinois, Urbana and completed graduate work with Dr. Gordon Paine, from California State University, Fullerton. Later in his career, he was fortunate to participate in a summer study program of Gregorian Chant with Dr. Theodore Marier at Catholic University in Washington D.C., while singing in the liturgical ensemble for Dr. Leo Nestor, Director of Music for the National Shrine.

Mr. Gray has conducted ensembles throughout Italy, France, Austria, and the British Isles in some of the world's most remarkable venues including St. Mark's in Venice, Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. Mr. Gray has conducted choirs in both the private and public sector for over 25 years, and is currently Director of Music Ministries at Mission Basilica, San Juan Capistrano, California, a National Shrine.

Formed in 2005, the de Angelis Vocal Ensemble is eighteen of the most talented singers in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. The ensembles widely-varied a cappella repertoire ranges from Gregorian chant to present day choral classics. Each of its members is a distinguished soloist, wholly dedicated to the choral art, bringing a wealth of talent, experience, and education to the ensemble. This ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Gray, is committed to performing literature that is both innovated and engaging, which does more than fill a void, but creates both beauty and art.



Board of Directors Artistic Director
Lesa Truxaw, President Matthew Gray
Jacob Thornton, CFO
Patricia McFarland, Secretary Singer Liaison
Marta Brennan Lauren McCaul
Charlotte Finklea  
Todd French Advisory Board
Susan Greek Anne Andrews
Mary Jo Lang Jody Pike
Joseph Truxaw John Thornton
  Marcy Lindstrom

 

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