Pacific Chorale’s Clemensen to direct vocalists in a concert in Irvine

Irvine United Congregational Church will host a benefit concert, “Songs about Music,” at 7 p.m. Sunday.

The concert will include 19 Southern California vocalists directed by David Clemensen, an accompanist at Orange County Pacific Chorale in Costa Mesa since 2003.

The program features solos by each singer, accompanied by Clemensen on the piano.

“There’s something really special that happens when a truly talented singer sings,” Clemensen said. “I call that magic. You forget everything else as soon as they begin. Everyone in this show has that quality.”

Attendees will hear songs from Stephen Sondheim, Maurice Ravel and Joni Mitchell — some heartfelt and serious, others comical.

Clemensen, who works at the Irvine church, said he’s excited to share the masterpieces with the congregation.

“Every one of these songs has meant a lot to me over the years — some for many years, some for a few years,” he said.

Open seating at the concert is free, but donations benefiting the church’s general fund will be accepted after the performance.

The concert will take place at the church at 4915 Alton Parkway in Irvine. A reception will be held in the church’s Plumer Hall following the concert.

Recognizing a possible conflict with Super Bowl Sunday, Clemensen said: “You can DVR the game, but this concert is only going to happen once.”

For more information, contact the church office at (949) 733-0220 or [email protected], or visit IUCC’s website at https://www.iucc.org.

[For the record, 1:18 p.m. Feb. 1: An earlier version of this story’s headline incorrectly stated that the Pacific Chorale would perform Sunday. It should have clarified that David Clemensen, who is an accompanist at the Pacific Chorale, is directing during the performance.]