The City and Port of Oakland Employees' Chorus was at risk in the 2013-2015 budget. Does anyone know what happened?
The City and Port of Oakland Employees' Chorus was founded in 1940 by Elsie Giani. Giani, inspired by carolers at a local department store founded the Chorus (then the City of Oakland Holiday Choir). The Chorus started out with only 5 singers including Elsie and sister Albina. The organist, Hilda Brandt, was also a city employee. The first year they sang in the Rotunda in Oakland's City Hall.
As of 2012, Giani was still singing with the chorus at age 99 along with other employees and retirees.
Every holiday season the Chorus performs public holiday events and sometimes performs at other City functions.
See 2012 press release.
