The Orange County Alumnae Chapter was installed on November 15, 1959. The chapter counts among its membership many Distinguished Members: National Arts Associate Members the late Dr. Howard Swan, choral music conductor, lecturer, writer, clinician and adjudicator, David Thorsen, choral music conductor, and National Laureate Dr. Mary Mark Zeyen.
The chapter has initiated several National Honorary Members: pianist and professor of keyboard studies, the late Lois Lynn Rogers Stoneman, distinguished pianist and philanthropist, Deborah Voigt, soprano, as well as Libby Larsen, one of America’s most performed living composers. The chapter has initiated eight Friend of the Arts members, whose contributions to the musical life of the community are well known. In 2011, the chapter welcomed Lambda Chi at CSUF.
Since its inception in 1980, Orange County Alumnae Chapter has awarded 107 scholarships to undergraduate music students from local colleges and universities. Three Orange County Scholarship winners have gone on to achieve successful performing careers and are now listed on the roster of the Metropolitan Opera in New York: Deborah Voigt, soprano, Rodney Gilfrey, baritone, and Earle Patriarco, baritone. Other winners are performing locally and throughout the United States.
The chapter organizes Scholarship Benefit concerts annually and maintains a scholarship fund: contributions are welcome. The chapter publishes a monthly newsletter, THE ORANGE PEAL, which has received national recognition for excellence. The chapter has been recognized at both the national and province level for its programs and yearbook directories.
Musical performances and members’ career appearances are supported. The membership has made contributions to programs at National Conventions, Delta Province Days, public musicales, scholarship benefits and in community retirement facilities and civic organizations. Orange County Alumnae supported development of the new Orange County Performing Arts Center, subsidizing a seat with donor plaque in the auditorium. The chapter supports the elementary school programs Pacific Symphony Class Act and Laguna Playhouse Theatre Reach.