Master Chorale Asks to Delay Groups’ Merger

In a surprise move, the Master Chorale of Orange County, while affirming its desire to merge with the Pacific Chorale, has recommended that the first season of the new organization be delayed until 1990.

Earlier reports from sources close to the board had indicated that the combined chorale would be in place for the 1989-90 season.

The Pacific’s board already has approved the idea of merging by 1988-89. “I am hopeful that this (counterproposal) will be accepted,” John Rhynerson, Master Chorale board chairman, said Thursday.

Anne Nutt, Pacific board chairwoman, said she has no problem with the request.

The Master Chorale’s board wants the delay, Rhynerson explained, because members now feel that it is “unrealistic from an artistic point of view” to expect a new group to be ready by the original target date.

“For us to proceed on the basis of a merger for the 1989-90 season, the new organization would have to be in place by January, 1989, or early in the year,” he said. “We didn’t think that could happen so quickly.”

Rhynerson also said a number of board members feel that “it was just not acceptable” to consider implementing a merger “so quickly” after the appointment of William Hall as music director. Hall was named to the post in November.

One of the major questions to be resolved before a merger can occur is who would lead the new group. John Alexander has been music director of the Pacific Chorale since 1971.

Rhynerson said the recommendation does not indicate that his board is backpedaling. “The board unanimously accepts in principle the recommendation . . . to proceed with the merger concept,” he said. But, he added, “we don’t want to be pressured into merging prematurely.”

Nutt said she is “not in disagreement” with the Master Chorale’s request for a delay. “It’s a valid concern that to do things right it will take longer than we expected. But every effort will be made not to drag it out.”

Each chorale will proceed with its own schedule for 1989-90, Rhynerson said. The 1988-89 seasons already have been announced.

Merger talks between the two chorales began in January, fueled by increasing competition for corporate funds and for audiences to fill the 3,000-seat Segerstrom Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.