The
Master Chorale of South Florida is comprised of the finest
classical singers in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties.
Now in its fifth season, the group was formed to ensure that
world-class performances of major works written for chorus
and orchestra remain part of South Florida’s cultural
fabric. To date, they have thrilled audiences with such beloved
masterpieces as Brahms’ German Requiem, Vaughn-Williams’
Dona Nobis Pacem, Mozart’s Requiem
and Mass in C minor and Schubert’s Mass
in E-flat Major. In their 2006-2006 season, the talented
ensemble was privileged to perform Beethoven’s Ninth
Symphony with the Cleveland Orchestra in their Carnival
Center debut, and a concert version of Verdi’s Il
Trovatore with a world-renowned cast in a Concert Association
of Florida production, also at the Carnival Center.
The Master Chorale of South Florida was conceived by former
members of the Florida Philharmonic Chorus following the demise
of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra in May 2003. Within
months, a core group of singers created business, marketing
and fundraising plans, incorporated as a non-profit organization
and hired Jo-Michael Scheibe as Artistic Director and Conductor.
Jeffri Bantz served as Associate Director and Accompanist
until his untimely death in 2006.
Since 2003, Dr. Scheibe has continued to audition new singers
and refine the sound to create an ensemble capable of performing
the most challenging repertoire at the highest level. Their
artistry and musicianship are increasingly recognized by enthusiastic,
growing audiences and stellar reviews.
“Imbued
with the glowing harmonies of the mid-19th century and grounded
in the religious music of the past, the work [Brahms’
German Requiem] received a magnificent performance
Friday in Fort Lauderdale by the Master Chorale of South Florida
and the Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia. Led by artistic
director Jo-Michael Scheibe, the chorus sang with clear articulation,
unity and power.” -- David Fleshler, Sun-Sentinel
“Any
performance of Brahms' German Requiem already carries
profound emotional freight, but the season-closing concerts
by the Master Chorale of South Florida come with a double
valedictory significance, for the choir and the larger musical
community… The deeply moving, eloquent and beautifully
sung performance of Brahms' choral masterwork heard Friday
night was a testament to the depth and humanity of Scheibe's
musicianship and his dedicated work building the Chorale.”
– Lawrence Johnson, Miami-Herald