Briefly in datebook

Orange Coast College recently announced that Ricardo Soto has joined

the school faculty as director of the college choir and voice instructor.

A Cypress resident who has conducted the men’s chorus and directed the

opera at Cal State Fullerton, Soto has also led the men’s and women’s

choruses at the UC Irvine.

He will teach Beginning Voice, Advanced Voice and College Choir.

Information: (714) 432-5735.

Pacific Chorale to hold auditions

The Pacific Chorale will hold auditions for volunteer singer positions

for the 2001-2002 concert season.

Interested vocalists should prepare an art song for which an

accompanist will be provided, and be ready to sight-read rhythmic and

melodic motives.

Entering its 34th year, the Chorale presents a concert season every

year at the Orange County Performing Arts Center and also performs with

the Pacific Symphony, the Pasadena Symphony, the Long Beach Symphony and

the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.

Information: (714) 662-2345.

South Coast Rep ready for 38th season

South Coast Repertory’s 38th season of plays will begin Aug. 31 with

“The Circle,” by W. Somerset Maugham, and continue with a season of world

premieres by Horton Foote, Lucinda Coxon and Annie Weisman as well as

West Coast premieres.

The 2001-2002 season will be SCR’s last before opening the company’s

three-theatre complex, which is in the works now. The initial schedule

has been shortened by one production each on the Mainstage and Second

Stage to accommodate construction.

The season will end May 5, 2002. Information: (714) 708-5555.