NEWS: Former L.A. Master Chorale Music Director Paul Salamunovich dies at 86

The world of music in general and Southern California in particular lost a giant when word came today that Paul Salamunovich passed away last night at age 86 from complications resulting from West Nile virus.

The California native and long-time North Hollywood resident was Music Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale from 1991 to 2001, Director of Choral Music at St. Charles Borromeo Church in North Hollywood for 60 years (1949-2009), an esteemed music educator who held academic posts at Mount St. Mary’s College and Loyola Marymount University, and an adjunct professor at the USC Thornton School of Music.

When he became the LAMC’s third music director, he rebuilt the sound style first established by Roger Wagner into an indelible choral instrument. He also worked with Morten Lauridsen, who was LAMC’s first Composer-in-Residence from 1995-2001 winning acclaim and awards for their performances of works such as Lux Aeterna and O Magnum Mysterium.

A detailed obituary is at the L.A. Master Chorale Web site HERE.

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