Thank you for the tickets that I won to attend the Mozart concert of the Sacramento Master Singers yesterday evening. When the voices first filled the room, I felt all the cares of the day roll off. The simply wondrous sound of the singers and orchestra made for a most pleasant evening. I was also reminded that Sacramento audiences are very appreciative of a fine performance. Thanks again for introducing us to a superb Sacramento musical group.

Winner of tickets through Capital Public Radio

Oscar Escalada has conducted choirs in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and for an audience of 8,000 last year in Buenos Aires.  On February 27, he will conduct the Master Singers in a program that will include the “Misa Criolla,” the Mass that Escalada conducted at St. Peter’s.  It was written by Ariel Ramirez, one of Argentina’s best-known composers.  Other pieces on the program will include an Argentinean tango composed by Astor Piazzola “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires,” a 17th century Peruvian “Hanacpachap,” a rhythmic Venezuelan “La Chaparrita,” and Argentina’s “Crece desde el Pie.”

Bringing such unfamiliar music to Sacramento audiences is part of the charge of the 45-member professional Master Singers, according to director Ralph Hughes. “Having Oscar and other guest directors direct the group is not just to do something different,” Hughes said.  “It also gives the singers experiences that I can’t give them.”

Sacramento Bee, Patricia Beach Smith

The Sacramento Master Singers have been providing California’s capital with beautiful Christmas concerts for over twenty years, and this month the organization, again under the inspired direction of Ralph Hughes, produced yet another magical evening under the title, “Sing We Joyous.”

As in past years, the choir entered the beautiful cathedral (Saint Francis of Assisi Church) to a candlelight processional, singing three a cappella carols ("Of the Father’s Love Begotten,” “A Christmas Round/Today the Virgin” and “In Ecclesiis") as it ringed the near-capacity audience. The choir then formed a circle on the center stage to sing two more hymns, “Izhe Huruvimi” and “The Eyes of a Child,” the latter featuring a nice solo by Lucy Bunch. The singers then assumed more traditional positions at the front of the chapel for a lovely rendition of Englebert Humperdinck’s “Evening Prayer,” followed by “Magnificat” by Paul Patterson.

One of the evening’s highlights was a beautifully intoned rendering of the 15th century “Coventry Carol,” arranged by Jonathan Rathbone. Another highlight was when the men sang Erick Lichte’s humorous arrangement of “Deck the Halls.” At one point, after several of the tenors had soared to ridiculously expressive falsettos, the entire audience burst into applause, providing a true show-stopping moment!

As in past years, Mr. Hughes and his choir ended this lovely evening by again circling the audience and singing the Rick and Sylvia Powell arrangement of “Peace, Peace,” while the audience joined in singing “Silent Night” to accompany the last verse. It ended a beautiful concert on just the right note.

Sacramento Gazette, E. Haig

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for a wonderful evening. We attended the December 21st-7:00 p.m. Christmas concert, and were delighted with your performance. Your excellent reputation precedes you; however, your performance was even better than we had anticipated.
The title “The Angels Sing Softly” is truly appropriate. You all have heavenly voices and it was an amazing experience. Thank you all for your dedication to each other, our community, and excellence in music. We look forward to your future performances.
With sincere thanks,
Darren and Debbie Trone

Thank you for that wonderful George Gershwin and Harold Arlen concert Saturday, the 15th of May. Everything was top notch! Keep up the good work. This concert was just first class in every way!
Best wishes,
Ed Leever

My wife and I attended the February outreach concert. This concert was not about the singers but whose music they were singing, a monumental talent whose music had stirred the souls of presidents and paupers, alike. Though he had not lived to appear in Sacramento for a second time, his music filled the hall as did his spirit. His name was Moses Hogan. The evening was the brainchild of Dr. Ralph Hughes. At the appropriate moment he beamed as he introduced the special guest: Mr. Hogan’s protege, star tenor, friend and disciple, Brian Stratton. Mr. Stratton charmed and directed the audience as well as the choirs, song after song, ringing throughout the hall as if the very structure of the building was in resonance with the sounds.
Roger and Kay White