Cal State Fullerton Choirs Set to Appear in CBS Christmas Eve Special with Andrea Bocelli
Cal State Fullerton’s University Singers are set to shine in the upcoming holiday special, “Christmas with Andrea Bocelli and Friends, a Grammy Holiday Special,” airing on CBS and Paramount+ at 8 p.m. on Dec. 24. The show will feature a star-studded lineup including Dua Lipa, Jennifer Hudson, Josh Groban, and of course, Andrea Bocelli.
The special will showcase a performance by Andrea Bocelli that took place on Dec. 8 at the Kia Forum during his 30th Anniversary concert. Sixty students from Cal State Fullerton’s choral and vocal ensembles, University Singers and CSUF Concert Choir, had the honor of performing in front of a sold-out audience.
Professors Robert Istad and Christopher Peterson from the School of Music played a significant role in preparing the students for this extraordinary opportunity. They led combined rehearsals, coached the students for their on-camera performance, and ensured they were ready to take the stage alongside Andrea Bocelli.
The University Singers, known as CSUF’s highest-level mixed choral ensemble, is a group that demands top-tier talent. Vocalists must audition for a spot in the chorus every August, as do members of the CSUF Concert Choir. It’s no surprise that the students were excited and prepared to sing for Andrea Bocelli, as Istad mentioned that he had been preparing them for this moment for over 17 years.
This performance with Andrea Bocelli is not the first time the University Singers have graced the stage with their incredible talent. In November, they performed four times in “Star Wars in Concert” at the Walt Disney Concert Hall with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and in August, they sang in the “Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga Concert Experience” at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
It’s clear that the University Singers are a group of incredibly talented and dedicated individuals, and their hard work has paid off in the form of this fantastic opportunity to perform alongside Andrea Bocelli on national television.
