Michael Short '79

Michael Short received his Bachelor's degree from Chapman College in Orange, California, in 1979, and his Master degree in Choral Conducting from California State University at Fullerton, California, in 1988. Besides being the founder and Musical Director of Orange Community Master Chorale, Mr. Short has also been the Director of Choral Activities at Orange High School since the spring of 1982, he holds a similar position at Rancho Santiago College, and he is the Director of Music at First United Methodist Church of Orange.

From 1991-1993, Mr. Short was Chairman of the American Choral Directors' High School Honor Choir, and continues to be a conductor and adjudicator with this organization. He is also the District Department Chairman of Secondary Vocal Music for Orange Unified School District. In February of 2002, he received the prestigious "Bravo" award from the Los Angeles Music Center for excellence in music education as an arts specialist. In 2003, he was named "Outstanding Teacher" by the Orange Unified School District for his work with the Orange High School music department, and he was recognized as the "Outstanding Alumnus" of Chapman University in October 2004.

Mr. Short's First United Methodist Church choir appeared as the church choir in "Ed Wood," a film directed by Tim Burton. His Orange High "Chamber Singers" were part of the "Chapman Choir" directed by Dr. William Hall in the movie "Sister Act II," starring Whoopi Goldberg. This latter group was the main competition for "Whoopi’s Kids." The Orange High Concert Choir also tours annually to Northern California, has traveled to Washington, D.C., and New York City on numerous occasions, and has completed singing tours in Europe in 1985, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004.

Mr. Short is also the District Department Chairman of Secondary Vocal Music for Orange Unified School District.  In 2004, Mike Short was named as the Choral Director for Santiago Canyon College.

Michael is married to Vicki, and has two wonderful children Katherine (17) and Matthew (13).

Michael Short conducts the Orange Community Master Chorale