Mastering the O.C. Chorale Is Socialite’s Latest Project

Ask Judie Argyros why she flirts with the spotlight--modeling in Segerstrom Hall, cavorting in a clown getup at the circus, vamping a la Marilyn Monroe for charity--and she’ll tell you that it’s not because she craves attention.

“It’s because I love to entertain,” says the Newport Beach socialite who is married to Forbes 400 developer George Argyros. “It’s my passion. It’s the thing I would have done if I hadn’t chosen to get married and raise a family.”

Come Oct. 20, Argyros will perform the most challenging role of her “career.” Standing before thousands in Segerstrom Hall at the beginning of Master Chorale of Orange County’s 36th season, she will conduct “The Star-Spangled Banner.” A few months ago, during a Master Chorale charity auction, her husband paid $3,000 for the opportunity.

Argyros is nervous about it, she admits. Visions of tumbling into the orchestra pit or seeing her baton soar into the audience dance in her head. “But I love the chance to do this,” she says. “I love the challenge.”

In recent weeks, Argyros has learned to conduct via private lessons with Master Chorale director William Hall.

Patiently, the maestro has taught Argyros to breathe as she conducts (“If you don’t breathe, you’re not anticipating the audience”) to create tension to hold a note (“you don’t want to add beats”) and to look good (“watch your carriage--you must feel the music with your whole body, your face”).

“A conductor is there to listen, to re-create,” explains Hall, who has been conducting for 44 years. “And to make decisions. Sometimes a singing audience wants to do something different. There’s a very fine line between leading and following.”

Hall calls conducting “an actor’s thing.” “It’s all about what you say with your face and what do with your conducting arm,” he says. “Judie is a natural--a real performer.” Before her musical debut at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Argyros will have had four sessions with Hall and two rehearsals with the orchestra.

And a few sessions at home. “The Master Chorale has given me a practice tape,” she says. “I play it and stand before a bathroom mirror with my baton. Every day, George hears the national anthem before he leaves for work.”

The more she practices, the calmer she becomes. “If I can get off on the right downbeat--the first downbeat--I’ll be fine,” she says. “The drum roll is my cue. I give the signal for the drum roll, take a deep breath and then it’s ‘Ohhhhh, say can you seeeeee . . . ‘ “

Celebrity-studded gala: Singer-hoofer Ben Vereen has lined up a gaggle of stars to join him for “Celebrities’ Gala for a Drug Free America” at the Hyatt Regency Irvine on Nov. 9. Among the celebs who have promised to attend are John Goodman, Dyan Cannon, Anthony Hopkins, Lionel Richie, Alan Thicke, Florence Henderson, Danny Glover, Rob Weller and Debbie Reynolds.

Cathy Smith, an Oscar winner for costume design (“Dances with Wolves”) also plans to attend the event--a benefit for Celebrities for a Drug Free America (founded by Vereen) and Drug Abuse Is Life Abuse, a drug prevention program founded by Orange County Sheriff Brad Gates. If you ante up $15,000 (for a table of 10), you’ll get to break bread with a celeb. Individual tickets are $500.

Invitations are in the mail: Just when Orange County Performing Arts Center buffs were ready to stash their diamonds and tuxes (after attending a series of fifth-anniversary galas), along comes an invitation to the Center’s annual “Christmas Candlelight Concert,” set for Dec. 8 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. For the second year in a row, Tiffany & Co. designer Fred Chuang (he does those witty Tiffany windows) will create the decor. Featured entertainers at Orange County society’s most elegant holiday gathering will be Steve Allen, Pete Jolly, Mark Massey and Paul Smith performing on grand pianos. Louis Bellson will be on drums and James De Julio will be on bass.

Buckley at the Barclay: Tony award-winning singer (“Cats”) Betty Buckley mingled with supporters of the Irvine Barclay Theatre on Saturday night following her appearance in Cheng Hall at the theater’s first anniversary celebration. Proceeds from the event will help fund the theater’s upcoming season. Arlene and Dr. George Cheng helped underwrite Buckley’s appearance and In-N-Out Burger donated funds to underwrite the post-performance gala, “Backstage Revelry.” Guests included Garry Brooks, chairman of the Barclay’s board of trustees, and Peter Bassi, chairman of the theater’s board of directors.

Designing men and women: The Decorative Arts Study Center in San Juan Capistrano is staging its first annual Decorative Arts Forum Oct. 25 and 26. Social types will love the chance to schmooze with interior designer Mario Buatta, a.k.a. “the prince of chintz” (his clients include Billy Joel and Barbara Walters), Nancy Goslee Power (former editor of House Beautiful magazine), and architectural designer John Saladino (he designed television producer Norman Lear’s classic digs) during a dinner on Oct. 25. The price tag? A reasonable $100 per person. Proceeds benefit the Decorative Arts Center, a nonprofit organization.