New
Choral Organization Formed
to Continue Symphonic Performances in South Florida
The
singers formerly associated with the Florida Philharmonic Chorus
are pleased to announce their incorporation as the Master Chorale
of South Florida. The Master Chorale will continue to sing major
classical works involving chorus and orchestra in Broward, Miami-Dade
and Palm Beach venues.
Jo-Michael
Scheibe, DMA, former director of the Florida Philharmonic Chorus,
has been hired as artistic director of the Master Chorale. Jeffri
Bantz, former associate director, has been hired as associate
director and accompanist.
“The
demise of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra does not mean that
audiences will be deprived of hearing masterpieces written for
chorus and orchestra. As the Master Chorale of South Florida,
we will hire orchestral musicians for performances throughout
the tri-county area. In addition, we will serve as a professional-quality
chorus for local orchestras and visiting orchestras,”
says Mark Glickman, president of the steering committee.
Shortly
after the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra (FPO) suspended operations
in May 2003, members of the Florida Philharmonic Chorus met
to organize, choose officers and begin the incorporation procedure.
Articles of incorporation were filed with the State of Florida
and accepted on June 26. The Internal Revenue Service issued
a certificate of nonprofit status on September 25. Plans were
kept quiet so as not to detract from the Orchestra’s reorganization
and fundraising efforts.
“We
were prepared to put our plans on hold should the FPO resume
operations and bring us back into the fold. On the other hand,
we also considered that it would be less expensive for the FPO
to hire us as an independent chorus when needed than to carry
us on their payroll,” Glickman explains.
As with the Florida Philharmonic Chorus, the members of the
Master Chorale of South Florida volunteer their time and talent
for the love of choral music. Nearly 120 of the 140 carefully
chosen members of the Florida Philharmonic Chorus on active
status in the 2002-2003 season are continuing with the Master
Chorale.
The
steering committee of the Master Chorale of South Florida was
chosen by the membership at a meeting on July 14. In addition
to president Glickman, a Boca Raton resident who is the executive
director of the Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation
of South Palm Beach County, other officers include vice president
Lyn Donley of Fort Lauderdale, a leading real estate agent;
secretary Laura Parker, a web site designer, artist and business
owner living in Oakland Park; and treasurer Dale Wilkerson,
a CPA from Deerfield Beach. Professional chairs for marketing
and public relations, budget and finance, fundraising, board
development, by-laws, ticket sales, and outreach were selected
and have commenced their various activities. Internal committees
were established to orchestrate activities such as rehearsals,
staging, attire, music and social events. One of the singers
has been hired as chorus administrator.
A
board of interested community leaders from Broward, Miami-Dade
and Palm Beach Counties is being selected to advise the Master
Chorale, which will have an initial yearly budget of $250,000.
The
Master Chorale of South Florida will begin rehearsals on Monday,
January 5, 2004 at a Fort Lauderdale location yet to be chosen.
The first concert will take place in March.
For
more information on auditions and performances, please see the
organization’s web site, www.masterchoraleofsouthflorida.org.
*
* *
The Master Chorale of South Florida is a nonprofit 501(c)(3)
organization comprised of the best amateur and professional
singers in the region who volunteer their time and talent for
the love of choral music. The primary mission of the Master
Chorale is to provide top-quality concerts of classical works
written for chorus and orchestra to audiences in Broward, Miami-Dade,
and Palm Beach counties. The Master Chorale strives to be recognized
for musicality, passion, and innovative programming, and for
fostering in audiences feelings of joy and excitement that come
from hearing superb performances of the greatest music ever
written.
CONTACT: Nancy Gates-Lee
Chair, Marketing Committee
njgates@att.net
