September 26, 2023, Santa Rosa, CA — The Santa Rosa Junior College Music Department presents “A Salute to Special Guest Dan Earl,” performed by the Santa Rosa Symphonic Chorus and SRJC Chamber Singers with pianist Nancy Hayashibara and directed by Jody Benecke on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 7:30 pm in SRJC’s Burbank Auditorium. Well-known Santa Rosa choral ensemble Cantiamo, under the direction of Carol Menke, and student singers from Santa Rosa High School under the direction of Marla Tusa will also take the stage.
Dan Earl retired from a 28-year career at Santa Rosa High School in 2005, having built a legacy of excellence in secondary school vocal music education. He directed state- and nationally-recognized ensembles, including Men’s and Women’s Choirs, Las Choralistas, Concert Choir, and Chamber Singers. Dan was twice selected as Teacher of the Year for Santa Rosa City Schools and Sonoma County, in 1982 and 1998. His portrait is featured on Santa Rosa High School’s Wall of Fame. Dan directed the symphonic and marching bands at SRHS, as well as the orchestra and the jazz band. Dan and Connie—his math instructor wife of many years—were the “power couple” at SRHS, touching the lives of many students who passed through the school.
Dan received the Spirit of Santa Rosa Award from the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce and was presented the Arts in Education Award for Sonoma County in 2003. In 2007, he was honored by the California Choral Directors Association’s Board of Directors, who bestowed the prestigious lifetime achievement Howard S. Swan Award.
The Santa Rosa Symphonic Chorus has enjoyed a long and celebrated history in Sonoma County’s musical life. Originally named the Santa Rosa Chorus, the group began as an evening class at Santa Rosa High School, founded by Chester Beck in the fall of 1934. The first concert given by the chorus was a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” under Mr. Beck’s direction, jointly presented with the San Francisco Municipal Chorus at Santa Rosa High School on January 6, 1935. Beck led the chorus until his death in 1966.
After a succession of artistic directors, Dan Earl took over as artistic director in 1979 at the urging of Dr. Curtis Sprenger, Montgomery High School’s choral director and founding director of Northern California Chamber Chorale. Dan remained in the role until 1986, and then in 2000 was asked to resume leadership of the renamed Santa Rosa Symphonic Chorus. He stayed on as artistic director for another fourteen years. Each December, the SRSC enthusiastically supports the Santa Rosa Symphony League’s youth programs by performing as the onstage chorus for the League’s annual “Sing-Along Messiah” fundraiser concert. During the 2020 COVID pandemic shutdown, Dan put out the call to “Sing-Along Messiah” veterans—including SRHS alumni and singers from the SRSC—to record individual video clips of their vocal parts in the “Hallelujah!” chorus. More than 90 singers responded. That December, with masterful editing by former SRHS student and current film and tv composer Ryan Brady, the famed chorus, a highlight of Handel’s masterwork, was the showstopper in the 40th anniversary “Sing-Along Messiah” virtual concert on YouTube, conducted by Mr. Dan Earl.
“A Salute to Special Guest Dan Earl” honors both Dan Earl and his wife Connie, in recognition of all that they have done to build and nurture the musical spirit of Santa Rosa and Sonoma County.
Tickets are on sale at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-salute-to-special-guest-dan-earl-tickets-709586431117?aff=oddtdtcreator
Burbank Auditorium is located at 1501 Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa. For information about future SRJC Music department events, please visit: https://music.santarosa.edu/events
