Learn about IOCSF.
About IOCSF
Recipient of the 2011 Chorus America / ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, the International Orange Chorale of San Francisco (IOCSF), led by Artistic Director Zane Fiala, was founded in 2003. Named after the color of the Golden Gate Bridge, the International Orange Chorale of San Francisco is an auditioned, all- volunteer chamber choir devoted to performing established repertoire of all periods, with particular attention to contemporary music, including newly commissioned works by promising composers.
IOCSF has performed world premieres of 25 choral works and has also presented regional premieres of five works, including Milton Babbitt’s “Music for the Mass,” Nico Muhly’s “Lorde Heare My Prayer,” Jake Heggie’s “Faith Disquiet,” and Pulitzer Prize- winner Caroline Shaw’s “Fly Away I.” IOCSF has collaborated with Frederica von Stade, Zheng Cao, Jake Heggie, and Nicolle Foland; appeared as part of the Noontime Concert Series at Old St. Mary’s Church and the Noe Valley Chamber Music Series in San Francisco; performed in collaboration with the Yale Glee Club at Grace Cathedral; participated in the Haiti Earthquake Relief Concert at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland; and served as a Featured Ensemble at the Chorus America National Conference by giving both performances and master classes. Since its inception, the group has been committed to performing free concerts featuring challenging and imaginative a cappella choral programming.
MEET OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, ZANE FIALA
Zane Fiala has been a member of the International Orange Chorale of San Francisco since 2007 and was named Artistic Director in 2009. During his time with the chorale, Zane has collaborated on concerts and new works with composers including Jake Heggie, Fredrik Sixten, Robin Estrada, and Caroline Shaw. In 2010, he conducted IOCSF in the West Coast premiere (and first-ever unaccompanied performance) of Milton Babbitt’s Music for the Mass. As director for IOCSF, Zane pioneered the Freshly Squeezed program—a concert entirely made up of premieres, presented every other year. His work with the ensemble has led to the premieres of over 100 compositions, including two of his own. He is also the producer and co-host of the choral music podcast, In Unison.
Mr. Fiala received his M.A. in Choral Conducting from San Francisco State University, where he studied with Dr. Joshua Habermann, and his B.A. in Jazz Studies from Columbia College Chicago.
MEET OUR ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR, CHRIS FILICE
Chris Filice is a teacher, conductor, and singer from the San Francisco Bay Area. Chris received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of Arts in Teaching at Westminster Choir College. As a member of the Westminster Williamson Voices, Chris sang on the GRAMMY-nominated recording of James Whitbourn's Annelies. After graduating from Westminster, Chris returned to the Bay Area to work as the Director of Choirs at Livermore High School, where he taught for eight years. Chris recently moved back to the South Bay where he grew up, and currently serves as the Director of Choirs at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale. Chris is currently the Assistant Conductor of the International Orange Chorale of San Francisco, and is excited to be taking on the role of Interim Artistic Director for the 2024-2025 season. In addition to IOCSF, Chris currently sings in The Same Stream, a professional choral ensemble under the direction of James Jordan.
MEET OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GIACOMO DIGRIGOLI
Giacomo DiGrigoli is the Executive Director of IOCSF, and a 20 year member of the San Francisco choral and tech scenes. He sings with the Golden Gate Men's Chorus, Counterpoint, NovAntiqua the International Orange Chorale, and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. He has also served on the boards of GGMC, IOCSF, and New York-based Choral Chameleon. He's also a product person at heart, spending the last 20 years in product management leadership roles at PayPal, eBay, Slack, Airbnb, Yammer, and vintage marketplace Chairish.
Giacomo earned his BA in Psychology from Yale University, where he sang with the Whiffenpoofs, the Duke's Men of Yale (now the Doox of Yale), and the Bach Choir.
Programs for Composers
COMPOSER-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
Our Composer-in-Residence program was launched in 2015. Our Composers-in-Residence have included:
2020: Michael T Roberts
2019: Robin Estrada
2018: Mari Esabel Valverde
2017: Elliott James Encarnación
2015-2016: Nicholas Weininger
SANTA BARBARA MUSIC PUBLISHING SERIES
IOCSF selects certain pieces to have published through our relationship with SBMP.
FRESHLY SQUEEZED PROGRAM
A competition to encourage creation of new choral works by emerging composers.
Our next big adventure!
Help IOCSF celebrate our 20th Anniversary Season in 2023-2024! IOCSF could use your support to commission new works for our anniversary and support the organization with part-time staff members in stewardship and operations. From our annual fundraiser to online donations, there are many ways you can support the choral arts. Be on the lookout for more information about our 20th Anniversary Season coming soon!
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”