About Us
ABOUT US
The Masterworks Chorale is an ensemble of auditioned singers who enrich the cultural environment of Metro East with outstanding performances of significant choral literature. The Chorale sponsors the Masterworks Children’s Choruses which share the same musical objectives of a disciplined and professional approach to the understanding and appreciation of music through musicianship, quality literature and performance.
The membership represents a seven-county area in Illinois and Missouri and includes a wide variety of professions and musical backgrounds. Many members have music degrees, most have studied voice privately, and several are church organists, choir directors, or music teachers.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Chorale was joined by the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1982 for a performance of Brubeck’s The Gates of Justice. In 1985, the Chorale made its first European Concert Tour and that fall presented the Midwest premiere of a new critical edition of Mozart’s Requiem. In 1987, the Chorale was invited to join the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus under maestro Leonard Slatkin to perform Berlioz’ monumental Requiem. And in 1993, the Chorale combined with the Bach Society of Saint Louis to perform Haydn’s The Creation at Powell Hall. In 1995, the Chorale commissioned and premiered Stephen Mager’s Sinfonia Pastorale.
The Chorale has collaborated with many outstanding soloists: soprano Erie Mills (1987 and 1999); tenor William McDonald (1988); Grammy award-winning narrator William Warfield (1989); mezzo-sopranos Nancy Maultsby (1989) and Angela Horn (2004); Gospel composer-conductor Robert Ray (1994 and 1996); and sopranos Christine Brewer (1983, 1985, 1988, 1993) and Mary Wilson (2004). Recent soloists include baritone Ljubomir Puskaric and soprano Carolina Castells (2010); baritone Thomas Florio (2011); mezzo-soprano Elisabeth Bieber (2013, 2016); soprano Stella Markou (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017); and Christine Brewer returning for special guest appearances (2016, 2018 and soon... in 2022).
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Since 1986 performances of the Chorale’s Christmas concerts have reached a wide audience throughout the greater St. Louis area through broadcasts on the former KFUO-FM CLASSIC 99 and on St. Louis Public Radio KWMU-FM (90.7).
CHILDREN'S CHORUS
The Masterworks Children’s Chorus is sponsored by the Masterworks Chorale and shares the same musical objectives of a disciplined and professional approach to the understanding of music through musicianship, quality literature and excellence in performance.
Founded in 1985, the Masterworks Children’s Chorus is based on the premise that all children possess the capacity for artistic expression if provided an opportunity for its
nurturing. To achieve its artistic goals the Children’s Chorus is provided with respected artist/teachers who believe in the importance of challenging young people to pursue
excellence.
The Children’s Chorus has performed with the Bach Society of Saint Louis, and at the Missouri Botanical Garden for the St. Louis Children’s Art Festival, the Salute to the Masters Art Festival, Art on the Square, and St. Clair County Teachers’ Institute. They have performed on tour in St. Louis, Chicago, Peoria, Kansas City and Indianapolis. The Children’s Chorus performs annually with orchestra in the Masterworks Christmas concert, independently presents full-length spring and fall concerts, and participates in the annual Broadway Pops concert. They also make occasional appearances at local community events, such as Art on the Square.