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2024 ACDA Western Region Conference March 6-9, 2024 Pasadena, California

Performing Choirs
P er f orming C hoirs

California State University-Fullerton California State University - Long Beach
University Singers Jazz & Tonic

California State University-Fullerton’s University
Singers perform all over the world and regularly col- Jazz & Tonic is one of two premier vocal jazz ensem-
laborate with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, bles at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at Califor-
Pacific Symphony, and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. nia State University, Long Beach. The group features a
They performed at the 2013 ACDA National Confer- diverse educational background, having members who
ence, 2013 NCCO Conference, and 2012 and 2018 are jazz studies majors, music education majors, com-
ACDA Western Region Conferences. They are heard position majors, and other non-music majors. Follow-
on Sony Records’ “John Williams and Steven Spiel- ing in the footsteps of CSULB’s flagship vocal jazz en-
berg: The Ultimate Collection” and Yarlung Records’ semble, Pacific Standard Time, Jazz & Tonic has begun
“Nostos: The Homecoming of Music.” In July 2024, to earn acclaim. Most recently, they were recognized
the University Singers will tour Rwanda and South Af- as the winner of the Downbeat Magazine Student Music
rica. Awards undergraduate vocal jazz ensemble division.

Robert Istad is a Grammy Award-win- Jonny Arenas is an educator, vocalist,
ning conductor and director of choral and arranger based in Los Angeles and
studies at CSU Fullerton, where he was is currently part of the jazz faculty at
recognized as CSUF’s 2016 Outstanding the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at
Professor. He is also artistic director of California State University, Long Beach.
Pacific Chorale. His artistic impact can be heard on two There, he majored in jazz studies, was mentored by
recent recordings featuring Pacific Chorale: “Mahler’s renowned vocalist and educator Christine Guter, and
Eighth Symphony” with the Los Angeles Philharmonic graduated with both his bachelor’s and master’s de-
Orchestra conducted by Gustavo Dudamel (Deutsche grees. As a member of the jazz faculty at CSULB, he
Grammophon, 2021), which was awarded the Gram- directs Jazz & Tonic. Since being hired in 2021, he has
my Award for Best Choral Performance; and “Ecsta- helped the group earn two Downbeat Magazine Student
sies Above: The Music of Tarik O’Regan” (Yarlung Music Awards, one of which as the sole winner of the
Records, 2020). He serves on the Executive Board of undergraduate college division.
Chorus America and as dean of Chorus America’s
Conducting Academy.

172 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2024 Volume 64 Number 5