Ocala Symphony Chorus
The Ocala Symphony Chorus
Learn and perform together with other volunteer singers from the Ocala area preparing and presenting two concert programs this 2022-2023 season! Members of the symphony chorus are committed to the joy and challenges of choral art including the presentation of important musical works and the healthy camaraderie of their preparation. You are invited to join us! Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, and Basses are all welcome to register and audition.
Auditions for this year’s Chorus:
What does an audition entail?
Auditionees will sing “Amazing Grace” with Choirmaster Joshua Mazur and the provided piano accompaniment.
Singers are selected according to their confidence in reading music, willingness to learn, commitment to advance preparation for rehearsals (rehearsal aids are provided) and according to the need to balance the choir. Singers of all ages, 16 and up can find a place for their voice in the Symphony Chorus!
Auditions are Sunday, August 21, 2022 at 3:00 PM in the NOMA Black Box at the Reilly Arts Center. Auditionees should plan on attending rehearsal following auditions on August 21, 2022 at 5:30 PM in the event that they are invited to membership in the chorus.
Fill out the online registration form online by clicking here
Concert #1: Messiah and More
Repertoire: Mozart Coronation Mass, 3-4 Choruses from Messiah, and the Mozart Laudate Dominum and Ave Verum Corpus.
Concert Date: Nov. 20, 2022 at 3:00 PM
Concert #2: Celtic Visions
Repertoire: Beloved, spirited, and moving Celtic music made famous by Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Celtic Woman, and Enya
Concert Date: April 16, 2023 at 3:00 PM
Rehearsal Day and Time: Sundays, from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Dues: Dues to sing in the 2022-2023 season are $100 per singer. It is expected that singers will participate in both concerts and the rehearsals that are affiliated with them. Scholarships are available on the basis of financial need.
About The Ocala Symphony Chorus
The Ocala Symphony Chorus is an auditioned volunteer chorus of about 80 singers committed to the pursuit of world class choral performances that shine with the loving care and preparation of folks living right here in the N. Florida area. In addition to the annual production of Handel’s Masterpiece “Messiah,” the chorus sings with the Ocala Symphony from time to time on summer patriotic concerts, POPS goes the Holidays, and in special performances of works such as Whitacre’s “Godzilla Eats Las Vegas”.
Leading the chorus is Maestro Joshua L. Mazur, who has led the chorus since 2017. From Gainesville, Florida Mr. Mazur is the Director of Music Ministry at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church and the Director of Capella Nova, Gainesville.
Joshua L. Mazur, Conductor, enjoys a budding career as a singer, conductor, and educator. Most recently featured in the tenor roles of Don Jose (Valdosta State University Guest Artist) and The Phantom (Ocala Symphony Orchestra) he was seen previously in principal baritone roles such as Silvio (Imperial Symphony Orchestra) and Gianni Schicchi (Florida Southern College Opera Theater). He has sung on masterclasses for such artists as Stella Zambalis, Mark Thomsen, Thomas Potter, Victoria Livengood, and Jennifer Larmore. He won the TBNATS “Most Promising Male Singer” award three consecutive years and was the Florida state winner of the NATS Artist Award in 2014.
In addition to his work as a singer, Joshua is an accomplished pianist. He serves Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida as Director of Music Ministry and Organist as well as the Ocala Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Capella Nova, Inc. as Music Director and Conductor.
Joshua has composed music for choirs and orchestras as well as scored soundtrack music for the films AFTER MIDNIGHT (2016) and I JUST CALLED TO SAY I LOVED YOU (2018). In 2011 he recorded vocals to the soundtrack for THE VOICES OF MARIEL, a film about the participants of the Mariel boat lift in 1980. The film was screened at several national film festivals to great critical acclaim. He is published exclusively by Musicspoke.
Mr. Mazur holds a Bachelors degree in Voice Performance from Florida Southern College and a Masters degree in Voice Performance and Conducting from the University of Florida.
