LBCS is an 80-voice fully auditioned classical music choir that has been bringing quality choral music to the Long Beach community since 1966.  Our 2015-2016 season is our 50th Anniversary.  Our Artistic Director is Dr. Robert Istad, (who is also Director of Choral Studies at CSU Fullerton and Associate Director of the Pacific Chorale).  He has grown Camerata to a fully auditioned 80-voice ensemble with a core of  ten paid professional singers and many younger musicians. 

Camerata’s season consists of eight concerts: a fall concert, an annual holiday performance of the Messiah, the annual Long Beach Bach Festival, (a five concert series anchored by a Camerata performance), and a June concert of Broadway music.  Repertoire encompasses a wide range of works from the Renaissance to the present, and includes many contemporary choral works and non-classical pieces. Camerata also serves as a contracted choir for other local music organizations, including the Pacific Symphony, the Long Beach Symphony, and the Long Beach Opera.

To celebrate our 50th Anniversary, Camerata has commissioned a Piano Concerto with Chorus and Orchestra, which will be performed in October, 2015.  We have also initiated a new education program and developed an interactive children's event focused on the vocal arts.  Our Camerata Kinder Konzerts are a fun way for children to learn about music appreciation and music history, conducting and singing.