About the Choirs
The Torrance
Civic Chorale
The Chorale has provided the South Bay with exceptional choral music, instruction and cultural enhancements since 1961. With 90+ singers, the auditioned Chorale is sponsored by the Cultural Services Division of the Community Services Department at the City of Torrance and meets 7:30-9:30 pm Mondays, and as needed.
​
Since its humble beginnings in 1961, the Torrance Civic Chorale has grown to between 90 and 100 singers. Members come from the surrounding South Bay communities and encompass all age groups from young adults to people with over 50 years’ vocal music experience. The Chorale represents professions in aerospace, banking and investments, education, parenting, military, medical, governmental social services, professional antique dealers, students, retirees, and church employees. The choristers’ diversities span Japan, China, Chile, England, the Philippines, Spain, Korea, Scandinavia, France, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Greece, Scotland, Middle East and Central America. The Chorale is under the sponsorship of the Cultural Services Division in the Community Services Department of the City of Torrance. Orchestras, bands, instrumental ensembles, and individual musicians are engaged to perform with the Chorale as needed. The Chorale is under the direction of Dr. Edward Trimis.
​
The group’s musical repertoire varies widely from the classics to ancient ballads, pop tunes and Broadway musicals to newly composed masterworks. In Fall 2018, the Chorale premiered Daniel Newman-Lessler’s latest composition, E-mu-nah.
​
The full choir performs two major concerts per year, two in December and one in May, at the beautiful James R. Armstrong Theater in Torrance. Additional events include somewhat smaller groups performing for community outreach and holiday/social occasions around the South Bay, such as the Torrance Memorial Holiday Festival and the City of Torrance’s 45th anniversary Sister City event with Kashiwa, Japan. Their international choral travel has spanned Europe, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and Canada and in November, 2018 performed the works of Randol Bass at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
​
Under Dr. Trimis' leadership, the choir has performed major works with local community groups including Beethoven's 9th Symphony in D Minor with the Beach Cities Symphony Orchestra and Carmina Burana with the El Camino College Choirs and has appeared at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in the Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration televised on PBS. Since the group returned after the COVID 19 hiatus, they have established partnerships and featured several guest artists in their concerts including the South Bay Children's Choir, the Torrance Theatre Company, the North High School Show Choir, Cal State Dominguez Hills Chorus, the Cerritos Gospel Choir, Luz Rodriguez, the Beach Cities Symphony Orchestra, and the Palos Verdes Symphonic Band.
The Jazz Singers
The Torrance Civic Vocal Jazz Ensemble (AKA The Jazz Singers) rehearse weekly Mondays from 5:15-7:15 pm. The TCVJE is a separate choir class supported by the City of Torrance and all members must register for the class. Singers may sing in both TCC and TCVJE or choose one of them. There is no requirement to be in both groups. The Jazz Singers perform in several programs throughout the year including concerts with the TCC, jazz festivals, jazz night events, and more.
Meet the Team
Dr. Edward Trimis
Artistic Director and Conductor
Dr. Edward Trimis (BA, MA, EdD), has held several teaching and administrative positions in Los Angeles at all levels and has been responsible for many reforms and innovative music and arts programs in schools featured in several newspapers and local and national journals, has been an adjunct professor at several colleges and universities including USC and Pasadena City College, is a highly sought after presenter at local, state-wide, and national conferences, and frequently serves the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) as a visiting team chair. Dr. Trimis has directed choral groups at all levels for the last 44 years in Los Angeles. Trimis is proud member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Southern California Vocal Association (SCVA), the Jazz Educators Network (JEN), the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC), and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). When he is not directing one of the Torrance city vocal groups, you may find Dr. Trimis writing music, creating podcasts, spending time with his wife, 4 adult kids and their spouses and 7 grandchildren, or taking in shows at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre or the Hollywood Bowl.
Ms. Yumi Hashimoto
Pianist and Assistant Director
Born in Southern California, pianist Yumi Hashimoto has performed as a soloist, collaborative pianist and vocal accompanist throughout Southern California, New Jersey, New York City. Specialized in classical repertoire, she holds a bachelor's degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills and master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music. In the past year, she has worked as an opera accompanist and music director for the Pacific Opera Project, performed in concerts for the Palm Springs Opera Guild and accompanied numerous music recitals for CSULB and UCLA. As an avid enthusiast for vocal music, she is excited to play a wide range of music genres and work with the singers of the Torrance Civic Choir! On her free time, she enjoys outdoor camping, cooking and watching films. She now resides in Southern California, teaches piano lessons and freelance accompanies around the Los Angeles area.