Chorale Looking to the Future

George Dickey, executive director of the Master Chorale of Orange County, said Maurice Allard’s resignation as music director “certainly” will make “a major difference. A music director is a very important person for any musical organization.

“It was a disappointment basically to everyone when Maurice resigned,” he added. “But that has been accepted.

“The atmosphere here is very positive. The receptiveness of the announcement of (William) Hall doing the Christmas concert (on Dec. 20) was applauded by the chorale membership. And everyone is looking forward to the future.”

Dickey said that a search committee has been formed to find a new permanent conductor.

Dickey dismissed rumors that Hall, founder of the Los Angeles-based William Hall Chorale and a professor of music at Chapman College in Orange, might become the new director.

“That has not been discussed on either side,” Dickey said. “It would seem premature until he gets acquainted with the chorale and the chorale gets acquainted with him.”

Dickey said that Allard’s resignation has not affected ticket sales.

“The board is committed to continuing the season’s subscription concerts this year, as originally scheduled, with guest conductors. At present, that is just one: the Christmas program with William Hall. And during the remainder of this season, the committee is going to investigate choices for a permanent conductor.”

Hall will conduct the chorale in Poulenc’s “Gloria,” Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” and a medley of traditional holiday music at 8 p.m. on Dec. 20 at the Performing Arts Center.