Choral Arts Initiative Announces Season 14: Thresholds
- CAI Administrator
- Aug 19
- 4 min read
A Season of All A Cappella Performances Exploring the Spaces Between
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT
Jonathan Kwok
Administrative & Social Media Coordinator
949-581-0700
Irvine, CA — August 18, 2025 — Choral Arts Initiative (CAI), the award-winning, three-time Billboard-charting ensemble dedicated to performing and commissioning new choral music, proudly announces its 14th season, Thresholds. Known for its innovative programming and commitment to celebrating living composers, CAI has garnered national recognition for pushing the boundaries of the choral art form.
This season offers five compelling programs, performed entirely a cappella, that explore the in-between spaces where transformation, reflection, and renewal occur. Each program invites audiences to step into a liminal space—between light and dark, sea and sky, past and future—through works that embody the theme of thresholds in powerful, imaginative ways.
“Thresholds invite us to pause between what was and what will be,” said Brandon Elliott, Founder and Artistic Director. "In Season 14, we explore those liminal moments through the voices of living composers, reminding us that change and possibility are at the heart of the human experience."
Season 14 Experiences
Light from Within
Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.
St. Mark Presbyterian Church
2200 San Joaquin Hills Rd, Newport Beach 92660
The season opens with a meditation on awakening and transformation. Featuring works by Isaac Lovdahl, Mari Esabel Valverde, Leah Tracy, Dylan Trần, and Carlos Cordero, this program traces the journey from first sparks to radiant brilliance. After the performance, donors are invited to an exclusive wine reception to toast to the season ahead.
Between Worlds
Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
St. Mark Presbyterian Church
2200 San Joaquin Hills Rd, Newport Beach 92660
Suspended between waking and dreaming, sea and sky, this program features works by Christopher Jessup, John William Griffith II, Shane Scott Cook, John Paul Rudoi, and Ēriks Ešenvalds. Audiences will experience the beauty of liminality and the power of listening in the in-between.
Intimate Voices
Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
Venue TBA (Central OC region)
Returning after a highly successful debut, Intimate Voices showcases solo and chamber repertoire performed by a smaller roster of Choral Artists. This close-up concert highlights the nuance, vulnerability, and immediacy of the human voice in an immersive setting. With repertoire selected by the Choral Artists, full program details will be announced later in the season.
Memory/Renewal
Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
St. Mark Presbyterian Church
2200 San Joaquin Hills Rd, Newport Beach 92660
Cycles of growth, loss, and return ground this program, featuring works by Dale Trumbore, Tracy Wong, Ayanna Woods, Michael Gilbertson, Sarah Quartel, Jordan Smith Reynolds, and Andrew Bonacci. Exploring what endures through memory and renewal, this program honors resilience and community.
PREMIERE|Project Festival 2026
Friday, June 26, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Zhang Hall @ Concordia University Irvine
Irvine, CA 92612
A cornerstone of CAI’s mission, the PREMIERE|Project Festival is a world-class destination for emerging composers. Twelve select composers will take part in a weeklong residency with CAI, culminating in a concert of twelve world premieres. Following the performance, audiences are invited to a complimentary courtyard reception to connect with composers and Choral Artists.
Tickets for all Season 14 experiences are available now at https://www.choralartsinitiative.org/season-14
ABOUT CHORAL ARTS INITIATIVE
Choral Arts Initiative has been praised as "gracefully lyrical" (Tim Mangan, Voice of OC), hailed as one of Orange County’s "Best Choirs" (CBS News, Los Angeles), and noted for its "sublime" and "triumphant" performances (Ron Schepper, Textura). Winner of the American Prize in Choral Performance, recipient of the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming, and Winner of the San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards for Best New Music Performance, Choral Arts Initiative continues its commitment to musical innovation. The ensemble was the invited headliner for the American Choral Directors Association Western Division Conference in 2024. Their inaugural album, "How to Go On: The Choral Works of Dale Trumbore," ranked #6 on the Billboard Charts (Traditional Classical Albums), and #4 Best Seller on iTunes Classical Charts. Their second album, "From Wilderness: A Meditation on the Pacific Crest Trail" charted for three weeks on Billboard and was the #1 Best Seller on Amazon and iTunes. Their third album released on March 8, 2024, and quickly soared to #1 on the Billboard Charts (Traditional Classical Albums). Their passion for new music has led to the commission of twenty-five compositions and the premiere of over one hundred works.
ABOUT BRANDON ELLIOTT
Dr. Brandon Elliott is an influential conductor, educator, and consultant dedicated to empowering artists to thrive at the intersection of music, business, and creative growth. As Founder and Artistic Director of Choral Arts Initiative, Brandon has shaped an award-winning new music ensemble that champions contemporary choral works, commissioning over 25 works, premiering more than 150 works, and producing three Billboard-charting albums. His leadership has positioned Choral Arts Initiative as a leading voice in innovative choral performance and artistic development, garnering accolades such as the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming and the Louis Botto Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
In academia, Brandon serves as Professor of Music and Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at Saddleback College and as Lecturer in Music Education at California State University, Fullerton, where he guides emerging musicians with a focus on resilience, artistry, and entrepreneurship. His dedication to lifelong learning and comprehensive music education has been recognized by the Recording Academy, where he was honored as a GRAMMY Music Educator Award semifinalist.
Brandon’s consultancy extends into the broader entertainment industry, advising on music rights, artist management, and strategic growth for creatives and organizations. His expertise in contract negotiation, leadership development, and inclusion initiatives has made him a sought-after consultant and industry commentator, featured in U.S. News & World Report, Lifewire, and other major outlets. He was also selected as a Fulbright Specialist by the U.S. Department of State for his expertise bridging music, education, organizational change, and leadership. A trusted mentor and visionary in the arts, Brandon is committed to fostering sustainable artistic careers and shares insights through industry publications, podcasts, speaking engagements, and conferences. Learn more at brandon-elliott.com.
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