After 42 years, All-American Boys Chorus loses space at OC Fairgrounds

After more than four decades of renting space at the Orange County Fairgrounds, the All-American Boys Chorus is looking for new digs, but leaders say finding an affordable spot is proving to be a challenge.

The Costa Mesa-based arts nonprofit, now in its 46th year, has called the state-owned property home for the past 42 years. The group announced the move Friday, but was notified in September by fair administrators that the group’s space was needed to accommodate more fair staff and programming.

The group has about 120 singers and will have to move out by June.

The All-American Boys Chorus pays about $1,000 a month for roughly 5,000 square feet spread about three buildings, including a donated trailer, near Arlington Drive and between the Actions Sports Arena and equestrian center.

It’s been a bargain rate that will be basically impossible to find anywhere else, said the chorus’ executive director, Tony Manrique.

“After not having had to do this for such a long time, going out into the market is much more expensive, especially if we want to stay in Costa Mesa,” he said.

Manrique said there’s been no hard feelings between the chorus and the fairgrounds.

As partners, they’ve “been very good to us,” Manrique added. “But they need to fill the space ... they felt bad, but they need to look out for what they need to do.”

Fairgrounds spokeswoman Robin Wachner said in a statement Friday “as a long-standing partner, it has been a mutually beneficial relationship and one that served both parties well. However, we are out of space for staff and programming.”

Wachner said the chorus’ contract expired in December, but administrators extended it through June “in an effort to give them time to find new space. We also didn’t want to disrupt their academic year.

“We are appreciative of the partnership that we have shared through the years with the All-American Boys Chorus and wish them continued success.”

For the past few months, the group has convened a special task force dedicated to finding a new home. The ideal spot, chorus leaders say, would have 6,000 to 10,000 square feet, and contain five small classrooms, one large classroom, a kitchen and assembly-type room that can fit 150 singers.

The group meets year-round, so they also need office space for full-timers and part-time staff.

“And, of course, there’s parking to think of and, hopefully, a small outdoor area where boys can recreate on Saturday mornings when they aren’t in a voice lesson, music theory class or rehearsing,” Operations Manager Aaron Cassaro said in a news release.

Manrique said they prefer to stay in Costa Mesa. Though the boys are renowned for their international tours and famous appearances — they performed in ABC’s “It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown” TV special — they’re a local fixture at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. They also sang at Costa Mesa’s annual ARTventure at South Coast Collection last year.

The chorus would consider buying a building, but Manrique said they don’t have the funds offhand and need a capital fundraising campaign.

“It’s a matter of finding something we can afford,” he said, “and something that will work for us.”