Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE: July 1, 2022
FROM: Carolina Master Chorale

The Carolina Master Chorale is pleased to present their 40th Anniversary Season, “Heartbreak & Hope: A Season of Love” celebrating the 23rd season under the artistic leadership of Music Director & Conductor, Dr. Timothy Koch.

The World on Broadway

The Carolina Master Chorale opens its 40th Anniversary season with a gala concert that visits the four corners of the world through the magic of Broadway. The Voices of Passion will carry to you away to New York, Alabama, Medieval Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, Vietnam and more, singing music from In the Heights, Selma, Pippin, Once on this Island, The Prince of Egypt, and Miss Saigon. The concert also features a tribute to Stephen Sondheim. Winners of the sixth annual Carolina Master Chorale/Coastal Carolina University Vocal Competition join collaborative pianist Daniel Francis and the CMCs finest soloists for a memorable program of unforgettable music of the theatre.

  • Saturday, October 22, 2022 – 4:00 pm Trinity United Methodist Church, North Myrtle Beach
  • Sunday, October 23, 2022 – 4:00 pm 1st Presbyterian Church, Myrtle Beach

Sound the Trumpet, Troll the Carol

Musicians from the Long Bay Symphony join the Chorale to ring in the season with exquisite holiday music from across the centuries for brass, percussion, and choir. Relive the sounds of St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice through the music of Monteverdi and Gabrieli. Feel the beat of thrilling gospel arrangements from the Canadian Brass, and sing along with the CMC on your favorite seasonal carols.

  • Saturday, December 10, 2022 – 4:00 pm Trinity United Methodist Church, North Myrtle Beach
  • Sunday, December 11, 2022 – 4:00 pm 1st Presbyterian Church, Myrtle Beach

Heartbreak & Hope

The Annual CMC Valentine Concert has become a can’t-miss Myrtle Beach tradition. Composer Timothy Michael Powell pays tribute to the tragic loss of a daughter, Lily, with his Consider the Lilies: an Appalachian Requiem, an homage of stunning heartbreak and hope. The Chorale will continue to lift your spirits with music of American pop divas Carly Simon, Dolly Parton, and Adele. Recharge your soul and share the love with us in February.

  • Saturday, February 11, 2023 – 4:00 pm Trinity United Methodist Church, North Myrtle Beach
  • Sunday, February 12, 2023 – 4:00 pm 1st Presbyterian Church, Myrtle Beach

Individual performance tickets are $25 for Adults, $20 for Seniors and Veterans and $5 for students (up to 22 with ID). Children under 12 attend free.

Season Tickets are $70 for Adults, $55 for Seniors and Veterans and $15 for Students (up to 22 with ID). Children under 12 attend free.

Ticket outlets are:

The Wacky Rabbit – 7702 N. Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC

For more information regarding tickets, please visit our website, www.CarolinaMasterChorale.com or call the Carolina Master Chorale office at 843.444.5774.

 

CMC Reviews
Media Reviews

Bernstein: Chichester Psalms
“The appropriately named Carolina Master Chorale is a treasure… Koch’s beautifully prepared Carolina Master Chorale blended with the Long Bay Symphony as if they do this all the time…”

– Myrtle Beach Herald

Verdi: La Traviata
“This was a full length version production, sung in its original Italian. The program called the production semi-staged, but there was nothing amateurish about it.

“Koch’s sensitive conducting of the orchestra let listener feel the impact of such passages as the high, poignant strings which open the opera, returning late in the work after many shifts of mood.

“The remarkable Carolina Master Chorale sent forth jolts of energy in such numbers as the famous ‘Drinking Song’ in Act 1, making listeners completely unaware this is a volunteer group with diverse backgrounds, and not a full time professional music ensemble.

“Everyone and everything worked well in this production. Nothing dragged and there was a sense of hardly realizing it was over when it ended.

“Timothy Koch, the Carolina Master Chorale, and the cast of fine professionals let us experience a work which is an artistic entree into a world which existed as vividly today as it did in the 19th century.”

– Myrtle Beach Herald

Verdi: Stabat Mater
“In tones that ranged from quiet and contemplative to mournfully passionate, the 80 member Chorale offered up a stirring rendition of Giuseppe Verdi’s Stabat Mater. A flawless performance, it demonstrated the group’s vocal skills and precision.”

– The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Ginastara: Lamentations of Jeremiah
“In one of the special moments of the afternoon, this region’s other treasure, the Carolina Master Chorale, took the stage. Timothy Koch prepared the audience for the music to come with a brief description of the background of Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera and his powerful Lamentations of Jeremiah. Secure intonation let listeners concentrate on the vocal tone colors, the complex and difficult harmonies, and shifting dynamics”

– The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Brubeck: La Fiesta de la Posada
“It’s not often that one associates a powerful, well-trained choir with jazz, but the program presented by the CMC certainly erased any doubts about whether this works. The CMC handled all of this effortlessly, and the soloists – Emily Hindrichs, David Bankston, Joe Chappel, and Drew Trautman – were exceptional. Certain parts must be pointed out – the jazz waltz feeling No. 8, “Run Run Run”, the Three Wise Men in No.9, ‘Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh’ with the unconventional chords, the riveting No. 10, ‘My Soul Magnifies the Lord’ with its interweaving of declamatory instrumental gestures and beautiful solo, and finally No. 14, ‘God’s Love Made Visible,’ with its unusual beat and massive, breathtaking conclusion, using all vocal and instrumental forces – because they demonstrate clearly the skill and power of the CMC itself.”

– Myrtle Beach Herald

Guest Artist Reviews

“The highest praise from me.”

– Carlisle Floyd, World-Renowned American Opera Composer

“How can I thank the Carolina Master Chorale enough for its superlative performances of my Seven Deadly Sins and An American Hallel performed this past weekend? To put it in a nutshell, CMC’s skill and execution was right up there with America’s top choral ensembles. Undoubtedly, this is due not only to the genuinely dedicated and nice community of CMC singers but also to their gifted and inspired musical leaders Maestro Tim Koch and composer-in-residence/accompanist Andrew Fowler. When leaders with vision show their charges the mountaintop and accept no less, great heights are attained. For all this, I am grateful for a thrilling weekend of music making. I will always be a devoted friend of the Carolina Master Chorale.”

– Michael Isaacson, Ph. D., Composer

“I thank you for reaching out to me to be a part of a great experience. Cheers and rousing applause.”

– Mitch Laurence, narrator, actor, ESPN commentator

Audience Reviews

“My friends and I are still talking about how blown away we were today by that concert we saw. The chorale sounded amazing. Very Impressive!!!!”

– Michael Orland, Music Director, American Idol

“What a wonderful, innovative program by you and the CMC yesterday! The choir sounded great, and the new works were very enjoyable and engaging. It is so encouraging not only to see the CMC continuing to build momentum, but to see the success of interesting, fresh programming concepts presented in this community. Your efforts in this regard help to open up the market for new ideas with the Symphony and all other arts groups. Please share with the chorus (and with Andy Fowler) my enthusiastic congratulations for a huge undertaking well done!”

– Charles Jone Evans, Music Director, Long Bay Symphony

“Thank you again for the wonderful performance. You guys are really special.”

– Ewa Mataya Laurance, World Champion Billiard Player

“I have to tell you that the best and highest class music making I’ve experienced since I have been here has come from the Carolina Master Chorale- it is really a first class organization. I wish you all continued success!”

– John Santuccio, Executive Director, Horry County Arts & Cultural Enhancement