This ensemble, founded by the music director Robert Wagner in 1947, began life as the Los Angeles Concert Chorale made up of twelve singers from young choruses he directed in the City of Los Angeles.
After its first appearance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra it went on to appear with them regularly until 1964 when they had their own Los Angeles Master Chorale, also established by Robert Wagner.
In 1949, now known as the Roger Wagner Chorale, they were signed to Capitol Records and their recognition spread around the world leading to them being invited to sing at the Coronation Festivities in 1953 in the Festival Hall in London followed by appearances in Paris and The Hague, all of which were heard on radio broadcasts of each country. They went on to tour South and Central America in 1959 where they visited 19 countries, the United States and Canada has seen them tour every state since 1955 and their international tours have led them to places as far afield as the Middle East, the Far East and the Soviet Union.
Being very active in the recording studio they have recorded over 80 albums, which include their Grammy Award winning Virtuoso! of 1958 and the Gold Record Joy to the World, and on the silver screen they have been heard in the movies The Gallant Blade and Black Christmas.
Roger Wagner held the position of Music Director until his daughter Jeannine Wagner took over the post, and he became the Music Director Laureate.
Angels We Have Heard On High (Traditional French/James Chadwick/Edward Barnes)
Capitol CDP 7 94688-2 (CD: Joy to the World)
Deck the Halls (Traditional/Anonymous)
Delos 3072 (CD: To Catch a Christmas Star)
Conductor – Roger Wagner
California State University Handbell Choir
The First Nowell (Traditional/Anonymous)
Delos 3072 (CD: To Catch a Christmas Star)
Conductor – Roger Wagner
California State University Handbell Choir
“Noel, Noel, Bells are Ringing” (Anonymous/Wilbur Chenoweth/Alice Grainger)
Delos 3072 (CD: To Catch a Christmas Star)
Conductor – Roger Wagner
California State University Handbell Choir
O Come All Ye Faithful (John Francis Wade/Fred Oakeley)
Delos 3072 (CD: To Catch a Christmas Star)
Conductor – Roger Wagner
California State University Handbell Choir
Sources:
- http://www.rogerwagnerchorale.com/
- http://www.salliterri.org/chorale.htm
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Wagner
- http://imdb.com/name/nm1133460/