About the Syracuse Chorale
The Syracuse Chorale is a non-profit community organization dedicated to the art of fine choral singing. The oldest community chorus in the greater Syracuse area, the group was founded in 1953, with 25 singers. Over the years, membership in the Chorale has grown to as many as 120 members, but generally averages 80 to 100 members each year.
The Chorale provides professional leadership and an opportunity for new and experienced singers to perform great choral works in a variety of musical styles. These include classical masterpieces such as the Requiems of Brahms, Mozart, and Berlioz, Bach's St. John Passion, Mendelssohn's Elijah, as well as the contemporary works like jazz, musicals, and ballads.
Syracuse Chorale performs three concerts each year in December, March and May. We employ professional musicians as director and accompanist, instrumentalists for many major concerts and, on some occasions, professional soloists. A nine member board of directors, elected by the membership, administers the affairs of our self-supporting organization.
Seeking to expand our audience and membership, we have presented concerts in recent years in Cortland, Skaneateles, Syracuse, and the surrounding suburbs. The Chorale's ensemble group, the Chamber Singers, sings regularly at events throughout the greater Syracuse area.
The Chorale also believes in supporting young people as they move forward with their education. We offer two scholarships each spring. For information about past winners, click here.
The Chorale provides professional leadership and an opportunity for new and experienced singers to perform great choral works in a variety of musical styles. These include classical masterpieces such as the Requiems of Brahms, Mozart, and Berlioz, Bach's St. John Passion, Mendelssohn's Elijah, as well as the contemporary works like jazz, musicals, and ballads.
Syracuse Chorale performs three concerts each year in December, March and May. We employ professional musicians as director and accompanist, instrumentalists for many major concerts and, on some occasions, professional soloists. A nine member board of directors, elected by the membership, administers the affairs of our self-supporting organization.
Seeking to expand our audience and membership, we have presented concerts in recent years in Cortland, Skaneateles, Syracuse, and the surrounding suburbs. The Chorale's ensemble group, the Chamber Singers, sings regularly at events throughout the greater Syracuse area.
The Chorale also believes in supporting young people as they move forward with their education. We offer two scholarships each spring. For information about past winners, click here.
Musical Direction
Warren Ottey, Music Director
Warren Ottey is in his nineteenth season as the conductor of the Syracuse Chorale. He is a native of Coatesville, PA, and has studied music at West Chester State University, the Eastman School of Music (studying under Metropolitan Opera Mezzo Soprano Anna Kaskas), the Moody Bible Institute (where he was a soloist and vice-president of the famed Moody Chorale), and Eastern University (where he pitched on the varsity baseball team). Among his private teachers were Elizabeth Westmoreland, Opera Director at Curtis Institute and Dr. David Blackburn, Founder and Director of the Natchez Opera Festival. He presently studies with world-renown Heldentenor, Jon Fredric West.
For many years, Mr. Ottey was a well-known professional church soloist and oratorio baritone on Philadelphia’s Main Line; and he was the chief founder of Berks Grand Opera during his years of teaching voice in Reading, PA. He has performed over twenty operatic leading roles on stage.
Warren is an experienced church music director, presently serving as Music Director and Organist at the Episcopal Church of St. Mark the Evangelist in Syracuse. He is also in his nineteenth year as Director of The Master’s Touch Chorale, a well known Greater Syracuse interdenominational Christian choir which has sung with the Syracuse Symphony and with Andy Williams, as well as performing three concerts by invitation at The White House in Washington, DC.
Warren was awarded the Paul and Veronica Abel Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Art of Choral Performance by Civic Morning Musicals of Syracuse in June of 2004. He maintains a vocal teaching studio in his home in the Hamlet of Oran, where he lives with his wife, Cherolyn, and six lively cats, at least one of whom is a burgeoning music critic who regularly assists Warren in his teaching by audibly analyzing the voices of lyric and dramatic tenors!
Warren Ottey is in his nineteenth season as the conductor of the Syracuse Chorale. He is a native of Coatesville, PA, and has studied music at West Chester State University, the Eastman School of Music (studying under Metropolitan Opera Mezzo Soprano Anna Kaskas), the Moody Bible Institute (where he was a soloist and vice-president of the famed Moody Chorale), and Eastern University (where he pitched on the varsity baseball team). Among his private teachers were Elizabeth Westmoreland, Opera Director at Curtis Institute and Dr. David Blackburn, Founder and Director of the Natchez Opera Festival. He presently studies with world-renown Heldentenor, Jon Fredric West.
For many years, Mr. Ottey was a well-known professional church soloist and oratorio baritone on Philadelphia’s Main Line; and he was the chief founder of Berks Grand Opera during his years of teaching voice in Reading, PA. He has performed over twenty operatic leading roles on stage.
Warren is an experienced church music director, presently serving as Music Director and Organist at the Episcopal Church of St. Mark the Evangelist in Syracuse. He is also in his nineteenth year as Director of The Master’s Touch Chorale, a well known Greater Syracuse interdenominational Christian choir which has sung with the Syracuse Symphony and with Andy Williams, as well as performing three concerts by invitation at The White House in Washington, DC.
Warren was awarded the Paul and Veronica Abel Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Art of Choral Performance by Civic Morning Musicals of Syracuse in June of 2004. He maintains a vocal teaching studio in his home in the Hamlet of Oran, where he lives with his wife, Cherolyn, and six lively cats, at least one of whom is a burgeoning music critic who regularly assists Warren in his teaching by audibly analyzing the voices of lyric and dramatic tenors!
Music
"Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. Magical music never leaves the memory." Sir Thomas Beecham
The Syracuse Chorale offers singers a unique opportunity to perform the very best in choral music no matter what the genre. Unlike other choral organizations that focus on a particular style of music, the Syracuse Chorale creates programs that are diverse enough to appeal to a broad audience. Past programs have included the works of Bach, Brahms, and Beethoven, as well as Rogers and Hammerstein and Gilbert and Sullivan. Contemporary composers as diverse as John Rutter and George Gershwin are often added to the mix as well. The purpose of course, is to keep the singers interested, and the audience inspired.
Music selection is a cooperative effort between the Musical Director and the Board of Directors. A typical concert in winter and spring consists of one large work like the Requiem by Brahms, and a selection of shorter "octavos" performed by the larger Chorale as well as the Chamber Singers.
May's Cabaret program is quite different. The primary fundraiser for the Chorale, Cabaret is presented nightclub style, with hors d'oeuvres and desserts served prior to the performance and at intermission. The program typically has a specific musical theme such as the songs of America, or the music of Gilbert and Sullivan, so the songs are generally well known to the audience. From a singer's perspective, Cabaret provides a multitude of opportunities for solo and small ensemble performances.
In short, the Syracuse Chorale provides new and experienced singers an opportunity to expand their horizons and have fun at the same time. Why don't you join us? To find out more, please visit the Membership section of this site, or call us at (315) 218-5926.
The Syracuse Chorale offers singers a unique opportunity to perform the very best in choral music no matter what the genre. Unlike other choral organizations that focus on a particular style of music, the Syracuse Chorale creates programs that are diverse enough to appeal to a broad audience. Past programs have included the works of Bach, Brahms, and Beethoven, as well as Rogers and Hammerstein and Gilbert and Sullivan. Contemporary composers as diverse as John Rutter and George Gershwin are often added to the mix as well. The purpose of course, is to keep the singers interested, and the audience inspired.
Music selection is a cooperative effort between the Musical Director and the Board of Directors. A typical concert in winter and spring consists of one large work like the Requiem by Brahms, and a selection of shorter "octavos" performed by the larger Chorale as well as the Chamber Singers.
May's Cabaret program is quite different. The primary fundraiser for the Chorale, Cabaret is presented nightclub style, with hors d'oeuvres and desserts served prior to the performance and at intermission. The program typically has a specific musical theme such as the songs of America, or the music of Gilbert and Sullivan, so the songs are generally well known to the audience. From a singer's perspective, Cabaret provides a multitude of opportunities for solo and small ensemble performances.
In short, the Syracuse Chorale provides new and experienced singers an opportunity to expand their horizons and have fun at the same time. Why don't you join us? To find out more, please visit the Membership section of this site, or call us at (315) 218-5926.
Board of Directors
The Syracuse Chorale is managed by a voluntary Board of Directors elected from the group's membership. Any member may run for election to the Board, and each Board member serves a three year term. The primary responsibilities of the Board include (1) managing business transactions for the Chorale, (2) setting the direction of the group, and (3) coordinating the efforts of other members.
Kathi Phillips President
Kerry Dale
Wendy Slaugh
Richard Reed
Cherolyn Ottey
Cindy Benton
Ellen Robb
Two unfilled positions
Ancillary personnel:
Ad Campaign/Publicity Media team chaired by Cherolyn Ottey
Bookkeeper William Jacques
Kathi Phillips President
Kerry Dale
Wendy Slaugh
Richard Reed
Cherolyn Ottey
Cindy Benton
Ellen Robb
Two unfilled positions
Ancillary personnel:
Ad Campaign/Publicity Media team chaired by Cherolyn Ottey
Bookkeeper William Jacques
Chamber Singers
The Syracuse Chorale Chamber Singers is an ensemble group chosen by audition from the larger Chorale membership. Chamber Singers participation provides additional musical challenges for those interested and qualified. In addition to performing at most major Chorale concerts, they provide varied programs of music appealing to a wide variety of audiences. In past years the Syracuse Chorale Chamber Singers have sung in churches, bookstores, shopping malls, The Everson Museum, The Erie Canal Museum, for senior groups, and at corporate gatherings. For information on how you can request a Chamber Singers performance for your next event, please click here or call 315-218-5926 and leave a message. We'll get right back to you.