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Updates

Stay up to date with some of Brandon's latest performances, announcements, releases, and more.

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Oxford University Press Publishing Contract

Brandon and Dale Trumbore announce their partnership with publisher Oxford University Press. Together, they will

co-author a book that empowers composers with "the strategies for achieving financial success and advancing their careers."

2024 PREMIERE|Project Festival

From June 24th to 29th, Brandon and the Choral Arts Initiative host the 2024 PREMIERE|Project Festival. Over the week, renowned composers take colleagues under their tutelage and premiere their works.

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2024 Chorus America Conference

Brandon participates in the 2024 Chorus America Conference. Joined by his colleagues, Brandon connects and converses with fellow arts leaders across the nation.

CAI culminates with Tapestry of Connection

To cap off their 12th season, Brandon Elliott and the Choral Arts Initiative perform Tapestry of Connection, a program featuring tracks from their album and additional pieces.

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Saddleback College Premieres "Nulla Lux" 

Brandon directs the Saddleback College Concert Choir in the world premiere Joey Sellers' "Nulla Lux". Alongside the composer and a Jazz Aggregation, the work culminates Brandon's first year at Saddleback College.

Tapestry of Becoming Releases and Charts

Brandon Elliott and the Choral Arts Initiative release their latest album in conjunction with their WACDA performance. Featuring works by Derrick Skye, Juhi Bansal, and more, the album debuts at no. 1 on Billboard's Traditional Classical Albums charts.

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2024 WACDA Headliner Performance

Brandon leads the Choral Arts Initiative in a radiant performance of contemporary composers to open the 2024 American Choral Directors Association, Western Conference in Pasadena.

Performance with 30 Seconds to Mars

Brandon Elliott and the Choral Arts Initiative step in on short notice and perform alongside 30 Seconds to Mars at the 2024 iHeartRadio ALTer EGO music festival.

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CUSD Honor Choir

Brandon leads over 180 students as the Capistrano Unified School District Honor Choir performs at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

New Position at California State University, Fullerton

Brandon Elliott joins the faculty at California State University, Fullerton as a Lecturer in Music where he will serve as a Clinical Coach/Supervisor for student teachers in the field. 

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New Recording Release

Brandon Elliott & Choral Arts Initiative released a new single, featuring one movement from Kile Smith's "Where Flames a Word."

New Position as Choral & Vocal Studies Director at Saddleback College

After nine years as the Director of Choral & Vocal Activities at Moorpark College, Brandon begins a new position at Saddleback College (Mission Viejo, CA) as the Choral & Vocal Studies Director. A champion of the performing arts, the college plans to build a $55M performing arts center to open by 2028.

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National Standing Committee Appointment

Brandon joins the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Standing Committee for Repertoire & Resources as the Inaugural Co-Chair for Two-Year Colleges.

VCCCD LGBTQIA+ Advocate Award Recipient

Brandon received the Ventura Country Community College District LGBTQIA+ Advocate Award, which recognizes the active contribution to a positive campus for LGBTQIA+ individuals through inclusive curriculum, expanding LGBTQIA+ research in their field, engaging in work to improve campus policies and climate, and going above and beyond to create a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff. 

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Chorus America Panel

Brandon speaks alongside Dale Trumbore, Dominick DiOrio, and Rollo Dilworth at the Chorus America panel on commissioning new works at this summer's San Fransisco conference.

SNATS Chat interview

Austin Vitaliano and Jordan Reynolds of the Student National Association of Teachers of Singing speak with Brandon about music entrepreneurship and how it applies to a solo performer, teacher, or organization. 

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Arts Commissioner Appointment –City of Moorpark

In December 2022, Brandon was appointed by Mayor Enegren to serve a two-year term as Arts Commissioner for the city of Moorpark. Read his full statement and more!

CSU Fullerton – University Singers Clinic

Brandon visits his alma mater, California State Univeristy Fullerton, for a clinic with the renowned vocal program's collegiate choral ensemble. Go Titans!

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Choral Arts Initiative - Fall 2022 – HOME

Brandon leads Choral Arts Initiative in their opening concert of their 11th season, as they explore the question of what makes a home. Featuring compositions from Dale Trumbore, Michael Gilbertson, Julia Adolphe, Eric Whitacre, Ayanna Woods, and Dylan Tràn.

For Your Consideration – From Wilderness

October 2022 – Choral Arts Initiative's From Wilderness enters the first-round ballot for the GRAMMY Awards® in the Best Choral Performance category!

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2022 – Sabbatical Leave

Follow Brandon during his 5-month sabbatical through his journey of self-reflection, travel, research, and more! He will be documenting his time and reflections on his new Instagram account.

Vanguard University – Choral Festival

Brandon will be working as an adjudicator and clinician with a variety of choirs in Orange County during Vanguard University's 2022 Choral Festival.

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Trilloquy - Interview

Brandon Elliott joins Garrett McQueen (55:00) to talk about Choral Arts Initiative's new album From Wilderness, the power of entrepreneurship, and his unique view of diversity. 

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PREMIERE|Project Festival 2022

A one-of-a-kind festival hosted by Choral Arts Initiative, PREMIERE|Project Festival provides selected composers with a remarkable workshop/commission experience by offering in-depth seminars, mentoring sessions with renowned composers, and interactive rehearsals. The premiere for these new compositions will be July 1st, 2022 at Concordia University Irvine.

2022 CCDA Conference

Brandon will be presenting at the Summer 2022 California Choral Directors Association conference, speaking about choirs at the professional, community, and church levels. More information about the conference can be found below!

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Brandon named the Louis Botto Recipient

On April 4, 2022, Brandon was named as the recipient of the Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal from Chorus America! More information about the award and Brandon's nomination/win can be found in the Chorus America press release below.

Screenshot 2022-06-21 at 10-47-18 Brandon Elliott (_belliott_music) • Instagram photos and
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MikeyPod Interview

Brooklyn-based composer/performer Michael Harren talks with Brandon about his work with Choral Arts Initiative, life, community, and more in his interview on MikeyPod.

From Wilderness - Premiere

April 2022 marked the long awaited Choral Arts Initiative premier of From Wilderness, composed by CAI singer Jeffrey Derus and conducted by Brandon Elliott. The recorded album was also released the same month, and charted at #3 on Billboard's "Traditional/Classical" list.

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Screenshot 2022-06-21 at 10-47-57 Brandon Elliott (_belliott_music) • Instagram photos and

GRAMMY Museum Nomination

Brandon was one of the honored educators to be nominated for the Recording Academy's Music Educator award for 2022. Through support from current and former students, Brandon was selected as a semifinalist from the initial 1,000+ nominees.

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