Nate Widelitz, Stockton Chorale Director: “Music is a communal activity!”

The path into classical music for new Stockton Chorale Director Nate Widelitz was a perfectly logical one. He was looking for a bit of acceptance back in high school just outside Philadelphia.

“I actually started off as a percussionist, in the bagpipes and drumming world,” said Nate before a recent choir rehearsal. “When high school rolled around, the folks I fell in love with were all members of the high school choir. I thought, what better way to improve my social life than go sing with them.

“I come from a family of musicians. It would have been weird if I wasn’t in music programs, as both of my parents are professional musicians and my brother is a percussionist and teacher.”

The Stockton Chorale is where Nate has begun his most recent professional chapter, moving to California after teaching the last three years at Milliken University in Decatur, Illinois. He brings a very impressive resume, with music degrees from USC (performing) and Yale (conducting). He performed with the Los Angeles Master Chorale on two Star Wars soundtracks, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. Now, in addition to directing the Stockton organization, he also leads the California Bach Society.

It was at USC that Nate worked with instructor Magen Solomon, currently directing the San Francisco Bach Choir. And it was Ms. Solomon who had great things to say about the Stockton Chorale when Nate was looking for a California group to lead. She spoke with direct knowledge, having led the chorale from 2010 to 2014. “She said it was a vibrant organization, filled with great people, and she was absolutely right! This organization is in great health, and we’re poised to grow,” said Nate.

A healthy chorale isn’t just people who can carry a tune or are dedicated to the practice schedule. Nate excitedly lists several characteristics that make the Stockton job so attractive. “Yes, singing in a choir is a musical activity, but it’s also a communal activity,” said Nate. “Morale is a really important component, but community is a big component as well. We are financially sound, we are organized, we have a great board that does an immense amount of work to make it all happen,” he said. All that work leads to what’s most important, a satisfying musical experience for audience members. “We get people who come to our concerts and rave about us,” said Nate.

The Stockton Chorale is five different groups with varying levels of musical skill, and includes two youth choirs, one for kids up to eighth grade and another for high school students. They have openings for anyone who wants to join. “We also have the Stockton Singers, what we call the y’all come choir,” said Nate. “These folks are very dedicated, but you don’t need prior experience to just walk right in and sing. Then we have our auditioned ensemble, the Stockton Chorale, which is our flagship ensemble. Finally, select singers from that group are placed into the Master Chorale.” Nate added that taking on more singers allows him to take on a wider variety of musical pieces. And he’s most anxious to have more bass singers walk through the door for rehearsals.

While Nate is new to Stockton and the Central Valley, he’s aware of the socioeconomic challenges that come with living in this part of the state. Classical music might not seem to have a place in a community with those serious issues. Nate quickly countered that thought.

“I say this as an artist and a human being. The arts make life worth living,” he said. “It’s easy to get distracted with homework, careers, making dinner and a thousand other obligations we have in order to have lives and live with each other. The arts invite us to think about and wrestle with the inner parts of ourselves that tend to get neglected. What we do tangibly improves the quality of people’s lives,” he affirmed.

Save the Date
2026 Stockton Chorale
Held at Delta College
Choral Masterworks Concert, March 15
Film Classics, May 17
www.Stocktonchorale.org

I am always looking for new and exciting gigs to showcase musicians in our community who deserve recognition. Stay tuned!
Feel free to reach out: tim@dalyvideoservices.com.