Singin’ hearts out

“I love to hear a choir. I love the humanity — to see the faces of real people devoting themselves to a piece of music. I like the teamwork. It makes me feel optimistic about the human race when I see them cooperating like that.”

A German study made news around the world when it found that the act of singing boosts the immune system, increasing immunoglobin and hydrocortisone while improving mood.

“Singing is transformative,” said Kelly Ruggirello, president of the Pacific Chorale. “I am a singer, and singing is a way to express yourself; it’s a way to escape, especially at a time such as this.”

The health effects are likely to benefit up to 500 singers from 69 cities, six counties and four states Sunday, when they converge at Segerstrom Concert Hall for the Pacific Chorale’s free Choral Festival performance.

“It’s what gives them joy. It’s what gives them hope. They can’t imagine life without music,” Ruggirello said of her fellow singers.

“People need food for the body. This is food for the soul.”

The singers range in age from teenagers to seniors, from all cultural groups. Organizers hope the event will help remove perceptions of elitism in the art form.

“We did this a year and a half ago, and it was such a huge success, we just knew we had to keep it going,” Ruggirello said.

The choristers — high school, church and professional singers from 108 organizations, some as far away as Texas, Nevada and Washington — will be joined by conductor John Alexander and organist Frederick Swann.

Alexander has been the artistic director of the Pacific Chorale since 1972, and has conducted in 27 countries. He has worked with conductors ranging from Esa-Pekka Salonen to Gustavo Dudamel.

“His program is brilliant,” Ruggirello said of Alexander. “He chooses music he knows the singers can rehearse and feel good about. You have to be able to choose a repertoire that you can practice and polish in that short time frame.”

She described the final list of selections as “challenging yet doable,” and filled with favorites.

The one-hour program also will give Swann, one of the most preeminent organists in the world, several solo opportunities. He is the former president of the American Guild of Organists, and Organist Emeritus of the Crystal Cathedral.

Alexander said he was completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support for the festival, and interest in it across the area.

“It was a welcome surprise that our marketing got where it needed to go,” Ruggirello said.

The performance is sponsored by the Shanbrom Family Foundation; admission is free.

“They are such supporters of providing accessible programming, and this was obviously a perfect match for them,” Ruggirello said. “It’s definitely a way for us to give back to the community.”

She added that the festival gives people the opportunity to sing in a world-class venue.

The singers only rehearse together the weekend before the show, after being mailed sheet music in advance, as well as an iTunes link to download the selections. They also are given the chance to participate in musicianship classes.

The 140-member-strong Chorale was founded in 1968, and works to highlight the efforts of American composers while educating audiences and future choristers alike.

Future plans may include a choral summer camp for high school students, who would be integrated into the free Choral Festival performance.

“We have big plans for how we can grow this program and make it an education culmination to some programs,” Ruggirello said.

If You Go

Who: Pacific Chorale

What: Choral Festival

When: 5 p.m. Sunday; doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Where: Segerstrom Concert Hall, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa

Cost: Free

Information: pacificchorale.org

Show Highlights

Beethoven: “Hallelujah” from “The Mount of Olives”

J. S. Bach: “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and “Toccata and Fugue in D minor”

Fauré: “Introit” and “Kyrie” from “Requiem”

Mendelssohn: “He Watching Over Israel” from “Elijah”