A quarter of a century ago, the Los Angeles Master Chorale helped pioneer what has become one of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions: the “Messiah Sing-Along.” The Chorale did George Frideric Handel proud when it celebrated the silver anniversary of its sing-along in grand style at the sold-out Walt Disney Concert Hall on December 19. Backed by the driving organ accompaniment, Music Director Grant Gershon conducted a quartet of outstanding soloists from the Chorale with 2,278 audience members singing the chorus parts. Adding to the musical magic was Michael Apodaca, a music teacher at the Village School in Pacific Palisades, who stepped up to the podium to conduct the universally loved “Hallelujah Chorus.” The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conduct the passage was a gift from his parents, who “won” the opportunity at an auction at the Chorale’s gala fundraiser in November. They were in the audience to watch their son’s performance. No stranger to the podium, Apodaca holds a bachelor’s degree in music composition and classical guitar from UC Santa Barbara. He also has a master’s degree in music education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. For the past 10 years, he has taught elementary and choral music, and is also a certified Orff-Schulwerk teacher. He is currently in his sixth year of teaching at Village School, where he formed the Village Singers. The group meets once a week at 7:15 a.m. to rehearse music for bi-annual school concerts and community performances.
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