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.

Dr. Scheibe 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.

In June 2008 Dr. Scheibe moved to Southern California to chair the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music choral studies program. In August 2008 Dr. Joshua Habermann was appointed Artistic Director of the Master Chorale of South Florida. For the past 12 years, Dr. Habermann has served as Assistant Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus and Director of Choral Activities at San Francisco State University. He was recently named director of Choral Studies at the University of Miami.

Selected 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