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songbirds

The chorale group

Songbirds is a chorale group that was formed in 1997. It is part of the CTA  community outreach program. It is an 18-member ensemble  made up of women who sing classical, traditional and jazz standards in three-part harmony. The group is directed by noted Bay Area pianist, composer and arranger Dwight Okamura. They meet and rehearse weekly and perform both a spring and winter program yearly. They are also available to sing at private parties and other events throughout the year.

musical director Dwight Okamura

Dwight Okamura has been the orchestral pianist for the Berkeley Symphony, the California Symphony, the Skywalker Symphony and the San Francisco Symphony. He has accompanied various Bay Area vocal ensembles including Chanticleer, the Bracebridge singers, The Choral Arts Society, The Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco, The San Francisco Symphony Chorus, and the San Francisco Girls Chorus. Dwight has composed numerous commissioned works, as well as many commissioned arrangements for the Girls Chorus, of which "Sakura" is published by Alliance Music. He is also the composer of three musicals: "Grow Up", produced in 1984 by the New Conservatory Children’s Theater; "Strikers", produced in 1995 by Doublemask Productions; and "Burning Louise", currently in workshop stage. He has been involved with a number of theater companies including American Conservatory Theater, Kaliyuga Arts, Theater Flamenco, and the New Music Theater Workshop. Dwight is also a keyboardist with the Best of Broadway series, and has played for the pre-Broadway premiers of "Mamma Mia", "Wicked", "The Mambo Kings", "Lestat" and "Legally Blonde", in addition to "The Lion King", "Altar Boyz", Matthew Bourne's "Edward Scissorhands", and the revival of "A Chorus Line", where he also played on the cast recording. When not in the pit, he is active as a recital and cabaret pianist, playing for performers ranging from Frederica Von Stade to Bruce Vilanch.

some songs from our repertoire