MCC's Shepard bows out with 'Shepherds' program

By PATRICIA MORRIS BUCKLEY - For the North County Times | Wednesday, March 26, 2008 9:55 AM PDT ∞

When it came time to name the spring concert featuring the North Coast Symphony, the North Coast Concert Chorale and the MiraCosta College Chamber Chorale, the first choice was "Crowning Achievements." But conductor James Shepard dismissed that idea because, although the title came from the North Coast Concert Chorale performing Mozart's "Coronation Mass," it might come across as having to do with his retirement at the end of the year.

After 18 years as the choral director at Carlsbad High School and 18 years as director of choral organizations at MiraCosta College, Shepard is passing his baton to a new generation. During his career, he has been named the Outstanding Music Graduate of USC, Teacher of the Year in the Carlsbad Unified School District, and the Outstanding San Diego County Music Educator by the California Music Educators Association. In 2002 and 2003, he received MiraCosta College's nomination for the Hayward Award for Teaching Excellence.

With Shepard as conductor since 1990, the North Coast Concert Chorale, Chamber Chorale, and Camerata perform a wide variety of choral literature and have toured nationally and internationally, including tours to Mexico, the Baltic states, Spain, Portugal, China and Russia.

"I've been doing this 37 years, and now it's someone else's turn," Shepard said. "But I'm staying in the Carlsbad area. My wife is the music specialist at Jefferson Elementary School, and she'll be there for a few more years. And when you already live in paradise, where else are you going to go?"

While the "Of Kings and Shepherds" concert (a name that still echoes his) is not his last one, it's the last performance of major works he'll conduct at the college, as the spring concert is much lighter fare. The program features the 130 members of the North Coast Symphony, under the direction of Don Swem, performing Beethoven's "Pastoral Symphony" (Symphony No. 6). The MiraCosta College Chamber Chorale will perform "Islands in Space" by Kirke Mechem, as well as spirituals and folk songs from around the world.

"I chose to do the 'Coronation Mass' because it's one of Mozart's best-loved works, and I've always wanted to do it," he said. "This is one of the best choirs we've ever put together. We have 80 voices, and I think because it's my last year, a lot of people decided to come back. It's really going to be stunning."

After graduation, the experience doesn't stop, as Shepard is taking a vocal ensemble to Costa Rica at the invitation of the Universidad de Costa Rica. But unless the college needs him part time, he joked, that will be his last conducting job.

"I'm approaching the end of this year with mixed feelings," he said. "It's been an exciting, wonderful career. I wouldn't trade it for anything. But after a while, you know it's time to go before they carry you out. And it's nice to go out on top."

"Of Kings and Shepherds"

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

MiraCosta College Theatre, 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside

Tickets: $10, general; $8, seniors/students

Info: (760) 795-6815

Web: www.miracosta.edu/events

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