Seasonal Christmas Cantata

An annual event at ALC. It is presented the 3rd Sunday of December and includes the Chancel Choir, children’s choirs on occasion, soloists, narrators and a full professional orchestra.

Hanging of the Greens

Another annual event at ALC. It is a special musical presentation by the combined music department. It includes all choirs and groups at ALC and many volunteers working to prepare/decorate the sanctuary for Christmas.

All Music Sunday

Presented the first Sunday in June, it is a special worship service where all music groups provide special music throughout the service.

Holden Evening Prayer

During the five Wednesdays in Lent, Marty Haugen’s Holden Evening Prayer is used as the basis for the mid-week services.

Great Music at Ascension

The Great Music at Ascension Committee (GMAC) plans musical events at Ascension for Thousand Oaks and the surrounding region. Their goal is to offer musical, educational and spiritual gifts to Ascension and the local area.

The group has hosted numerous events during recent years including:

The American Guild of Organists Organ Spectacular, featuring renowned organists from near and far.

Dr. Timothy Howard, Director of Music and Organist at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. In increasing demand as an organ recitalist and collaborative artist, Dr. Howard’s performances have been hailed as “precision-cut” and filled with “superb grace and élan” (The Orange County Register).

Samuel Soria, organist of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels since its dedication in 2002. Samuel was a prizewinner in the J.S. Bach International Competition, the American Guild of Organists Improvisation Competition and was honored as the first American invited to the European Competition in Organ Improvisation in Belgium.

Dr. Christoph Bull, University Organist and Adjunct Associate Professor–Organ at UCLA. Christoph has been called “rock star organist,” as he plays classical music with a rock musician’s sense of rhythm and a jazz musician’s sense of improvisation.

California Lutheran University Choir. Directed by Dr. Wyant Morton, the choir has earned an enviable reputation in its home state and throughout the Western United States for its commitment to performing the finest in choral literature from all eras in their original language.

The Matt Harris Jazz Ensemble. Matt is the Director of Jazz studies at California State University, Northridge and has toured with Maynard Ferguson and Buddy Rich.

Hosting Events

Because of the size and beauty of our sanctuary, many outside groups utilize Ascension Lutheran Church for their performance venue. Currently the Los Robles Master Chorale uses Ascension as its concert hall.

Groups that have used ALC in the past include: Concordia College Choir, Luther College Choir, California Lutheran University Choir, SKRUK, and the St. Olaf College Concert Band.