Dr. Corie Brown has acted as artistic director for Mission Peak Choir (formerly known as East Bay People’s Choir and Mission Peak Chamber Singers) for the past four seasons. She recently announced that she will be retiring from this role to focus on other musical projects. “I’m delighted that Andrew Kessler will be stepping into the role of artistic director,” says Dr. Brown. “He brings a lot of passion and fresh ideas and I’m excited for what’s ahead for the choir under his direction.”
Kessler also serves as music director at Niles Discovery Church, where Mission Peak Choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings. Music was a central part of his life growing up. He’s never met an instrument he doesn’t love and has played flute, saxophone, violin, piano and ukulele before settling on the bass guitar. He also fell in love with classical singing and has performed in several operas, including the starring roles in Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni and Gianni Schicchi.
Karla Thomas, president of the board of directors for Mission Peak Choir says, “We are so delighted to have Andy joining our team.” The choir has participated in the community for decades, but recently has focused more on its mission as a 501(c)3 non-profit to provide music education and choral experience to the greater community.
She continues, “Our focus this year is to come together as a community, to share the incredible experience of making music together, to learn, to grow, to support one another and to raise every voice in song and we know that Andy is exactly the person to help us do that.”
Thomas encourages anyone interested to come to the Mission Peak Welcome Back Potluck on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at Niles Discovery Church from 7-9pm. Mission Peak Choir is for singers of all levels and learning styles with no experience necessary and no music reading ability required.
Rehearsals are held from 7-8:30pm every Tuesday evening at Niles Discovery Church. Mission Peak also has a chamber singers group that requires members to complete a simple audition and have some sight reading ability. This group continues rehearsal after the main ensemble from 8:30-10pm. Rehearsals are always open to anyone interested.
