Master chorale names its artistic director

Lesley Leighton was named artistic director of the Los Robles Master Chorale during a reception hosted by the chorale's board of directors recently in Thousand Oaks.

Leighton's goals include building new partnerships within the community while continuing the longstanding mission of the group to give back to the community that has long supported it.

Leighton is working toward her doctorate in choral conducting at USC, where she has a masters of music in vocal performance.

She has sung with Los Angeles Master Chorale and the Jacaranda Chamber Singers, and has appeared as a principal artist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, L.A. Opera, Los Angeles Master Chorale, New York City Opera and the Norway Symphony.

Leighton will direct when the Master Chorale presents its first concert of the season, Holiday Presence, on Dec. 12 and 13 at the Church of the Epiphany in Oak Park.

The program will include music by Willan, Buxtehude, Victoria, Rutter, Rossi, Carrillo and Mgagna, in addition to holiday favorites and a West Coast premiere.

The event will have a preconcert conversation with composer Nick Strimple and a postconcert reception.

For tickets or more information, call (805) 584-2357 or visit www.losroblesmasterchorale.org.