By Robert D. Dávila

SACRAMENTO, CA -- A memorial Mass and reception are planned for Perla Warren, a noted choral conductor and former music teacher at American River College.

Mrs. Warren died July 29 of cancer, her family said. She was 76.

As professor of vocal music from 1975 to 1995, she conducted the American River College Chamber Singers and the American River College Jazz Choir. Under her direction, both groups received many awards and performed at prestigious venues from Carnegie Hall to the Montreux Jazz Festival.

She was interim chorus master of the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra in 1992-93 and a guest conductor of other choirs. She received many honors, including the ARC Instructor of the Year Award, the American River College Patron's Chair and the Eunice Skinner Award as outstanding California choral director.