Voice, Opera and Music Theatre Programs
Lynne Morrow is the Music Director of Pacific Edge Voices and of the Oakland Symphony Chorus, both since the 2005-2006 season. Pacific Edge Voices, formerly the Pacific Mozart Ensemble, made its Carnegie Hall debut in November 2005, representing choral music for Meredith Monk’s 20th Anniversary Celebration. Dr. Morrow coached PME and sang several solos for the Berlin performances and recording of Bernstein’s “Mass” with Kent Nagano. Dr. Morrow’s work received a GRAMMY nomination in December 2005. She also directed the ensemble for two CDs of Dave Brubeck’s choral music.
At the Oakland Symphony, Lynne Morrow has expanded the scope of the Chorus to include contemporary, international, and neglected works, in addition to traditional choral repertoire. She conducts the Chorus’ workshop performances of major works and produces Summer Sing workshops. Dr. Morrow has taken the Oakland Symphony Chorus on their 2 international tours: in 2015 to Budapest/Vienna/Prague and in 2018 to Rome/Florence/Venice, Italy.
Dr. Morrow enjoys working with composers on new works. She commissioned Michael Roberts to compose “Mass for Freedom” for Oakland Symphony Chorus in 2019. The new Mass uses African American Spirituals which became Protest Songs in the Civil Rights Movement as the source material. Morrow plans to take the Chorus on its third tour, to Civil Rights locations in the United States, performing the “Mass for Freedom.” Dr. Lynne Morrow teaches at Sonoma State University, directing the Vocal and Opera/Music Theatre Programs since 2001. Each year, she presents a fully staged Opera or Music Theatre work. In addition, students perform in two Music Theatre Scenes Workshops and two Opera Scenes shows. Titles from the last few years include, “Sweeney Todd,” “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” and Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide.” This program seeks to broaden the formal and stylistic links between Opera and American Musical Theatre.
Dr. Morrow presents workshops on African American Spirituals, including two workshops on cruises to Alaska. Morrow received The Heritage Keepers Award from the Friends of Negro Spirituals. She has also given lectures on Music for major Bay Area organizations including Cal Performances, Green Music Center, Stern Grove, Oakland Symphony, and Festival Opera.
Dr. Morrow strives for a visceral connection to music, presenting works from every corner of the musical arts in fresh ways, to reach the widest possible audiences.