Master Chorale of South Florida

History

The Master Chorale, South Florida’s premier classical choral ensemble, is comprised of the finest classical singers in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties. The group was formed in 2002 following the demise of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus to ensure that world-class performances of major works written for chorus and orchestra would remain part of South Florida’s cultural fabric. Dr. Jo-Michael Scheibe served as the first artistic director for the new group.  To date, the singers have thrilled audiences with such beloved masterpieces as Brahms’ Requiem, Mozart’s Requiem and Mendelssohn’s Elijah.
           
In their 2006-2007 season, the talented ensemble was privileged to perform Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in the Cleveland Orchestra's Miami debut at the Arsht Center, and in a Concert Association of Florida production of Verdi’s Il trovatore at the Arsht Center and Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

In 2008, the Master Chorale's performance of Orff's Carmina Burana sold out the Arsht Center. The following spring, the ensemble had the pleasure of performing Beethoven's Ninth again, this time with the Russian National Orchestra led by Itzhak Perlman.
           
In November 2009, the Master Chorale returned to the Broward Center and other locations with performances of Handel's Messiah under the baton of James Judd. The concert closely followed a performance of opera arias with the celebrated Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli at the BankAtlantic Center—a privilege repeated in February of 2011 and 2012.
           
In August 2008, Dr. Joshua Habermann was named Artistic Director and Conductor of the Master Chorale of South Florida. He continued to audition new singers and refined the sound to create an ensemble capable of performing the most challenging repertoire at the highest level. Under his superb leadership, the ensemble performed Haydn's Creation, Verdi's Requiem and other beloved pieces to excellent reviews, before leaving South Florida for Dallas at the end of the 2010-2011 season.
           
Following a thorough nationwide search for a new leader, the Board unanimously selected Dr. Karen Kennedy. A seasoned conductor with an impressive resume, she brings a fresh approach and team spirit to the Master Chorale in this, her inaugural year.  Once again, audiences and critics have hailed the Chorale’s first concerts under Dr. Kennedy’s direction with highest accolades.