By Nancy Needham

Singers from areas that include Ventura County, Santa Clarita and Pasadena come together in Oak Park once a week for three hours to rehearse serious choral works.

The Los Robles Master Chorale, a 100-voice community choral ensemble, has performed in Ventura County for over 34 years. Membership has more than doubled since it began on the campus of Moorpark College in 1978.

"Those who come to listen will hear excellence in music. They will always come again," Master Chorale Executive Director Lenard Geres said.

The singers are all talented volunteers. Many are trained professionals. Their artistic director Lesley Leighton is on a mission to preserve Southern California's rich choral music tradition. She's a long-standing Los Angeles Master Chorale member and principal artist who has traveled the world performing.

The Master Chorale performs at local churches four times a year with two performances at Christmas time. The Consort Singers, a 26 member group taken from the Master Chorale, perform twice a year--in the fall and spring. The Master Chorale has yearly auditions in June.

For more information, visit www.losroblesmasterchorale.org.