Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra Makes Classical Music By and For All

Ming Luke has a unique challenge as music director of the Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra. The 200-person chorus doesn’t hold auditions, which means the singers range from complete beginners to former professionals. But that emphasis on inclusion doesn’t keep the group from performing ambitious symphonic, choral works. The chorus celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and recently performed Antonin Dvorak’s demanding “Stabat Mater.” We’ll talk to Luke about the how the organization stays true to its goal of offering everyone “the opportunity to sing and hear great choral music.”