our history
1979
The Master Chorale was founded by Dr. Robert Summer, Director of Choral Activities at the University of South Florida. The first performance included 19 select singers along with the USF University Singers and Orchestra in a performance of Bach’s St. John Passion at the University.
1986
The Chorale was officially designated the principal chorus of The Florida Orchestra.
1996
The Chorale embarked on its first European tour in performances of the Berlioz Requiem with the London Bach Choir at both Westminster Cathedral, London and King’s College Chapel, Cambridge. The featured conductors were Dr. Robert Summer and Sir David Willcocks.
The Chorale’s second CD recording, Christmas with the Master Chorale, was released, and immediately gained critical praise. Additionally, the Chorale was a featured guest at the inaugural opening of the Tampa Bay Ice Palace (Amalie Arena).
1999
The Chorale was named Artist in Residence at the University of South Florida College of Fine Arts in recognition of its leadership in and impact upon education and performance in the choral art form in West Central Florida.
The Chorale recorded its fourth CD with the world-famous Empire Brass entitled "Christmas with The Master Chorale and Empire Brass."
The Chorale received its second NEA grant for its new educational outreach program, Festival of Voices.
2008
The Chorale presented its Discover! Alice Parker concert series.
Through this Discover! Series, the Master Chorale commissioned and performed the world premiere of Ms. Parker’s now-famous The Rock and the River.
The Chorale released the CD “Discover! Choral Music by Alice Parker and Libby Larsen”, and prepared to celebrate its 30th Anniversary.
2010
Dr. James K. Bass appointed as the fourth permanent Music and Artistic Director, hosted René Clausen and premiered a new choral work by Mr. Clausen titled “Jubilate Deo.”
2011
The Master Chorale performs with internationally renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli to a sold out audience at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
2016
The Master Chorale said goodbye to Dr. James K. Bass, the Chorale's fourth Music & Artistic Director, as he departed to take the highly respected role of Director of Choral Studies at the Herb Alpert School of Music, University of California Los Angeles.
Released the "Light of the Midnight Sun" CD, conducted by Dr. James K. Bass, which reached #6 on the Top 10 selling classical albums on iTunes.
Performed the National Anthem for a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game at Raymond James Stadium.
Launched a new Youth Initiative reaching 1,000 Title I elementary students in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.
Collaborated with the Choral Artists of Sarasota and the Sarasota Orchestra for the first time with a performance of Verdi's Requiem at the Sarasota Opera House.
Presented Tampa's first community BIG SING, where the audience is the choir.
1988
The Chorale performed Durufle’s Requiem with legendary conductor Robert Shaw, music director and conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and interim music director of The Florida Orchestra.
1991
The Chorale performed Mahler Symphony No. 8 with Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in Atlanta, GA. A CD recording of this performance was released on the Telarc label, and garnered international acclaim and attention. This recording continues to be available for purchase through CD retailers and iTunes.
2000
The Chorale commissioned world-renowned composer and conductor Eric Whitacre to write a piece for a cappella choir. The result was a work entitled Lux Arumque, which remains one of the most popular compositions of standard choral literature, and has sold hundreds of thousands of copies around the world.
2005
The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay with The Florida Orchestra released the CD, A Musicological Journey Through the Twelve Days of Christmas by Craig Courtney.
2007
The Master Chorale presented the Florida premier performances of Richard Einhorn’s multi-media work Voices of Light with Carl Th. Dryer’s black and white silent film masterpiece, “The Passion of Joan of Arc” scored for choir, orchestra and soloists.
2012
The Master Chorale with The Florida Orchestra recorded and released a CD of music by composer Frederick Delius for national distribution by the Naxos of America label which made it to #1 Best Selling Opera/Vocal recording on Amazon and #2 on iTunes.
The Master Chorale released a CD recording of The Peace Project featuring a variety of choral music, including a premiere of an André Thomas commission.
2013
The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay performed Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with The Cleveland Orchestra and The Master Chorale of South Florida at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami.
2014
The Master Chorale recorded the Holiday Pops program with The Florida Orchestra for CD release and recorded and released the live performance of “Upon These Shores” on CD.
The Chorale also commissioned and premiered a new work by renowned young composer Jake Runestad entitled “We Can Mend the Sky.”
2015
The Master Chorale launched a new “voice” – The Master Chorale Ensemble Singers.
2017
The Master Chorale appointed Doreen Rao as Visiting Artistic Director.
2018
Brett Karlin appointed fifth permanent Artistic Director.
2019
The Master Chorale traveled to New York City for a 40th Anniversary Tour and debut performance at Carnegie Hall.
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Because of your support, The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay reaches nearly 25,000 people each year.
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