Laude Choir

Led by Music Director David Harris, the members of Laude represent some of the brightest vocal and choral stars in Los Angeles. Ensemble and business leaders, composers, soloists, film and stage actors, and instrumentalists make up this robust chamber group, lending it noted flexibility and strength. Laude members sing with the Cathedral Choir as section leaders in addition to meeting on their own to present more intimate musical experiences. Each member also frequently presents solo features from the breadth of their professional acumen. www.fccla.org/laude.

As the resident professional ensemble at FCCLA, they are leaders in the progressive spiritual movement. Their music invites listeners into spaces for contemplation, exploration, and elation to shape new ways of understanding sacredness through music. By drawing on diverse bodies of repertoire, leaning into contemporary voices, and writing music that responds to the needs of the community, they add to a growing chorus of people seeking newness in non-dogmatic practice. Laude shares FCCLA’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity. Their repertoire embraces the intense breadth of vocal music. They approach stylistic diversity with care and intention, acknowledging the ongoing challenges that exist within these goals. 

Laude also performs concerts throughout the year including: Christmas Eve, various major works throughout the year, the MLK-inspired “Fulfilling The Dream” concert, and the renewed annual Bach Festival with Musica Angelica. They were featured at the 2022 Western American Choral Directors Association Conference, gave the concert premiere of Patrick Cassidy’s “The Mass” with Martin Sheen as MC, and performed John Sheppard’s “Media Vita” with Monday Evening Concerts. Their vocal flexibility and emotionally-engaging performances create transportive musical atmospheres. 

Laude’s live accomplishments are matched by their recording prowess. They recorded a staggering 300+ tracks from 2020-2022, including three major works, multiple premieres, and the major work premiere of Patrick Cassidy’s “The Mass” for organ and choir. Their recording of “The Mass” is their first album release. They appear in multiple episodes of CBS’s “Strange Angel”, and are featured in Jackson Greenberg’s score for Barlow Jacob’s film “The Voyage Out.”

Laude specializes in contemporary choral music and premieres of new choral works. Their unique vocal talents are matched by their interpretive passion. The pieces that Laude premieres feel vibrantly new and convincingly established. Their relationship with today’s creative voices feeds into their exploration of older works, giving their performances of pieces from different time periods vibrancy and newness.