Our Story

The Charlotte Master Chorale is an auditioned chorus that performs an annual season of masterworks and contemporary works primarily in the Charlotte region. We are the resident chorus of the Charlotte Symphony, and operate as an independent, nonprofit performing arts organization.

Our story begins in 1951, when a group of Charlotte singers, under the direction of Earl F. Berg, founded the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte. The founding members envisioned a group that would perform great choral masterpieces, especially large-scale choral-orchestral works. The first concert, held at Myers Park United Methodist Church, was a production of Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus. The performance included 68 singers and was sponsored by the local chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Over the following decades, under the artistic leadership of conductors Earl F. Berg (1951–1960), Donald Plott (1961–1981), and Dr. Mary Nell Saunders (1981–1993), the Charlotte Oratorio Singers grew in size and scope, sponsoring additional ensembles like the Oratorio Chamber Singers and its own high school ensemble, the Youth Oratorio Singers. In 1993, the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte merged with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, further cementing a close organizational partnership that continued under conductors Dr. Hugh F. Floyd (1993–1995), Dr. David Tang (1996–2004), and Dr. Scott Allen Jarrett (2004–2015), and to this day under current Artistic Director, Dr. Kenney Potter (2015–).

A new era dawned in 2018, as the organization returned to its roots as an independent performing arts organization under a new name, the Charlotte Master Chorale. Today, the Charlotte Master Chorale Main Chorus, with approximately 150 singers on the roster, continues to perform in large-scale choral-orchestral collaborations of masterpieces and contemporary works as the Resident Chorus of the Charlotte Symphony as well as in independently-produced concerts widely recognized for excellence and community-building. The Chamber Singers, Charlotte’s premier chamber choir, consist of 30 singers of professional caliber drawn from the Main Chorus, renowned for vocal prowess and artistic expression.

The Charlotte Master Chorale has been a featured ensemble at Carnegie Hall, Piccolo Spoleto, and the state conference of the North Carolina American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). This March, the Chamber Singers will represent the Charlotte Master Chorale in a featured performance at the ACDA Southern Region Conference in Memphis, TN.

The Charlotte Master Chorale offers two free, intensive educational programs for high school and collegiate singers, the Young Artist in Residence and NextGen programs and has received funding from the City of Charlotte Infusion and Opportunity Funds, the Arts & Science Council, and the North Carolina Arts Council.

Our Values

We embrace the power of choral music to illuminate, uplift, unify, and inspire.

We pursue the highest artistic standards in repertoire and performance.

We commit to creating and enhancing educational opportunities for singers and audiences.

We reflect the diverse faces of our regional community in our membership and audience, and expand access to and appreciation of choral arts.

We encourage other local artistic endeavors with a spirit of support and collaboration.

We respect the choral art and value the time and efforts of our musicians, our audience, and our supporters.

Our Artistic Team

Kenney
Potter

Artistic Director

Kenney Potter has served as Conductor and Artistic Director of the Charlotte Master Chorale since 2015. His choirs have received wide-spread acclaim including winning the Grand Prix for best choir in the Pärnu International Choral Festival in Pärnu, Estonia. As a performer, he has been a featured soloist and conductor in Carnegie Hall, and was choir soloist for the Grammy-winning Oregon Bach Festival choir as well as the International Bach Academy, conducted by Helmuth Rilling. Under his leadership, the Master Chorale has received critical acclaim for artistic excellence and creative programming. Dedicated to education, Dr. Potter enjoyed a career as Professor of Music at Wingate University and he currently serves as President of ECS Publishing Group.

In demand as a clinician, he has conducted state-wide festival choirs for NAfME and ACDA in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia as well as in Nairobi, Kenya and Johannesburg, South Africa. He is a recipient of the Lara Hoggard Award for distinguished accomplishments in the field of choral music, given by the North Carolina ACDA, and is a published composer, recently completing a full-length musical based on the life of Robert Smalls. He holds degrees from Florida State University, Portland State University, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and resides in Charlotte with his wife, Heather, and their children, Syl and Calvin.

Philip Biedenbender

Managing Director, Assistant Conductor, & Pianist

Philip Biedenbender serves as Charlotte Master Chorale’s Managing Director, Assistant Conductor, and Pianist, as well as Minister of Music at Christ Lutheran Church, Charlotte. He holds a bachelor’s degree in theory/ composition from St. Olaf College and a master’s degree in choral conducting from Florida State University. As a pianist, he has collaborated with numerous honor choirs, ensembles, and organizations, including the St. Olaf Choir and the Oregon Bach Festival’s Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy. He is an award-winning composer whose works have been performed by musical groups across the globe. His music is available from earthsongs, EC Schirmer/Galaxy, and Biedenbender Music Publishing.

Christine
Starnes

Chorus Manager

In addition to her role as Charlotte Master Chorale’s Chorus Manager, Christine Starnes is Director of Music and Worship, service pianist/worship leader, choir director, and secretary of Loray Baptist Church in West Gastonia. A graduate of Gaston County Schools and in-demand pianist, Christine has had the privilege of accompanying choirs for over 20 years in local choir festivals, middle and high school Music Performance Adjudications, and annual concerts. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Gaston Choral Society, the Gaston Music Education Foundation, and has previously served as Charlotte Master Chorale’s Singer Representative on the Board of Directors. She has been a member of the Charlotte Master Chorale since 2004. Christine and her husband, Jarrod, live in Gastonia, NC, with their two cats, Remy and Ezri, and their dog, Kaia.

Join Our Team

There are no current openings.

Our Board of Directors

MARY DELK
Past President

Mary Delk is retired from a career that included serving as president of Belk Department Stores from 2002-2006 and as a partner with Deloitte Consulting from 2007-2016. She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College and holds an M.A. from the University of Chicago.

Mary has served on the strategic planning committee and task force on affordable housing at Covenant Presbyterian Church and as an Elder on Session. She has also been on the board of directors for the Ruth & Paul Manz Organ Scholarship, offered through the Lutheran School of Theology. Mary brings a love of choral music excellence and an experienced perspective to the Charlotte Master Chorale board of directors.

Favorite choral work: J. S. Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio” and “Considering Matthew Shepard” by Craig Hella Johnson

Favorite composer: Bach

REBECCA CHAFFIN

Rebecca Chaffin is a partner with Holland & Knight, LLP, where her practice is focused on debt finance/capital markets.   She received a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and a J.D. the University of Virginia School of Law. Rebecca loves spending time on Lake Norman, hiking and playing golf and pickleball.   She also enjoys singing from the pews of Davidson College Presbyterian Church, where she serves as an Elder and member of the Administration & Personnel Committee.

Favorite choral piece: Handel’s Messiah

DAVID FISK

David Fisk joined the Charlotte Symphony as its President & CEO in 2020. Prior to that he served as Executive Director of the Richmond Symphony in VIrginia for 18 years, having previously held leadership roles in the UK and Ireland with a chamber orchestra, a symphony orchestra, an international arts festival and a sculpture park. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Manchester, and a postgraduate performer’s diploma specializing in piano accompaniment from the Royal Northern College of Music, where he also studied singing, composition and conducting.

David’s musical life began early, as a boy chorister for five years at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, which made him realize his life would be in music one way or another. Studying cello led to a deep affinity for orchestral and chamber music, and learning organ at St. Paul’s developed his love of church and choral music into adulthood. Though he started out as a professional musician, and still continues to play piano and organ to this day, David made the turn in his early twenties to arts management, to which he has ever since dedicated his career.

David is married to the Irish opera singer and voice teacher Anne O’Byrne. They live in Dilworth and have two grown children, both currently studying in Europe.

Favorite choral work:St. Matthew Passion

Favorite composer: Impossible to choose!

JAMES FORD

James Ford is a 37-year veteran of Charlotte banks. Currently working for Truist Securities and previously for Bank of America, he has lived in Charlotte long enough to be considered a native by comparison to many – 31 years. The Oratorio Singers of Charlotte was the first community group he joined when he moved to town! He holds a Bachelor of Music – Vocal Performance from the University of South Carolina and sang with the Concert Choir and Opera program while in school. He was a founding member and served as the second president of the Palmetto Mastersingers, a TTBB chorus based in Columbia. He holds an MBA in Finance from the University of South Carolina and is a Group Portfolio Manager in the Corporate and Investment Banking group at Truist.

Favorite choral work: Lots of Renaissance polyphony. William Byrd, des Prez, Tallis

Favorite composer: Bardos Lajos (Yes, his work is on Spotify!)

JENNIFER HULL

Jennifer Hull is a distinguished international, interior designer and event planner renowned for her high-end residential and commercial projects. With over 25 years of experience, Jennifer has built a reputation for transforming spaces for elite clients, including athletes, professional musicians, and Fortune 100 executives. Her exceptional eye for detail and commitment to excellence have established her as a leading figure in the design industry.

Jennifer’s love for music began in her childhood, singing in church. She has a remarkable talent and passion for music. She gained recognition for her powerful renditions of the national anthem at various government events, as well as at professional baseball and hockey games.

In addition to her professional success, Jennifer has skillfully balanced her career with her personal life, managing a household with four grown children. Her dedication extends beyond her business, as she actively volunteers and has previously served as Mayor Pro Tem in Oak Ridge. Jennifer’s passion for making a difference is also evident in her philanthropic efforts; she has worked with organizations like Make-A-Wish and Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center to positively impact the lives of children.

Jennifer Hull’s blend of creative talent, leadership, and community service underscores her unwavering commitment to enhancing both her clients’ lives and the broader community.

CAITLIN WHALAN JONES
Secretary

Caitlin Whalan Jones is director of the Education Law Program at Council for Children’s Rights, a position that leads her to approach everything she does with a lens of racial equity and inclusion. Caitlin earned a Bachelor of Arts in music and communications studies from Furman University and her Juris Doctor from the William & Mary Law School and was heavily involved in choral music throughout her education as a member of the Furman Singers, Furman Chamber Choir and the William & Mary Botetourt Chamber Singers.

Caitlin is a strong believer in the importance of community-centered arts organizations and the shared experience of choral singing, which provides people with the opportunities to communicate powerful stories of humanity. A current member of the Charlotte Master Chorale (CMC) and CMC Chamber Singers since 2016, Caitlin services on the finance committee for the organization. She has also served as a choir section leader at Covenant Presbyterian Church and is currently a staff singer at Christ Episcopal Church. Her music involvement in the Charlotte region also includes Bach Akademie Charlotte, where she sang a member of the Cantata Choir.

Favorite choral works:
 “Requiem in D minor” by Gabriel Faure
, Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust, BWV 170 by J.S. Bach

DAVID JACOBS

David G. Jacobs, MD is a trauma and acute-care surgeon, and the Vice-Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Department of Surgery at Atrium Health-Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. He also serves as the Medical Director of Atrium’s Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program. He completed his medical education in New York City (Weill-Cornell Medical College), and his surgical training in Philadelphia (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania), and in Cleveland (Case Western Reserve University Affiliated Hospitals).

He also completed a research fellowship in Pediatric Surgery in Toronto (Sick Children’s Hospital), and a Trauma Surgery/Surgical Critical Care fellowship in Baltimore (Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems-MIEMSS). Dr. Jacobs’ current responsibilities include teaching, research, patient care, and way too many administrative tasks. Closely related to his career as a trauma surgeon is his interest in violence prevention, reflecting his belief that today’s surgeons must also address the ethical, social and political issues that so greatly affect the overall health and well-being of the patients for whom they provide care.

GREGORY H. KNUDSON

Greg brings over 40 years of experience in executive-level business development, marketing, and strategic management with global manufacturing technology corporations, starting at the World Headquarters of General Motors in Detroit, and then with major automotive suppliers providing engineered products and technologies to automotive corporations in North / South America, Europe, and Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand).

Greg then started up and managed a venture capital firm (Rocket Ventures) – investing in and commercializing over 80 tech-based start-up companies.

Prior to his retirement in 2018, Greg served as a Big Ten university administrator directing the Center for Business and Economic Development at Indiana University — providing business consulting services as well as management development programs for over 70 corporations. Greg has also been an MBA Adjunct Professor at six universities, including Indiana University, and most recently at the Wake Forest University Graduate School of business. Greg also delivers a 6-week lecture series for “DavidsonLearns”, focusing on global trade and international relations.

Greg received a B.A. from Valparaiso University, studied at Cambridge University (Cambridge, England), an M.A. from Western Michigan University, and Ph.D. (ABD) from The University of Florida.

Greg enjoys composers for symphony and Chorale such as Bach, Mozart, Handel, and more recently “Considering Matthew Shepard” by Craig Hella Johnson.

DEIRDRE (DEDE) MCKINNON)
Treasurer

In addition to her banking career, DeDe serves, and has served for over ten years, as CFO of Kinn, Inc., an award-winning pet care product which she co-founded, launched, and runs with her husband, Alex. As a part of growing this small company, DeDe has participated in all aspects of the business, including sales, finance, marketing, customer service and Board of Director activities.

Before her retirement from Wells Fargo in May 2023, DeDe enjoyed 30+ years of increasing responsibility in credit and risk management roles with Wells Fargo, FleetBoston, Bank of America, and The Federal Reserve System, including roles based in the United States, Germany, and Scandinavia. The work included extensive risk management assignments in the US, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The focus of such assignments included credit, investment, sovereign, transfer, transaction, strategic, reputation, interest rate, liquidity, and price risks.

DeDe holds an MBA in Finance and International Business from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University and BA in Economics and Accounting from the College of the Holy Cross.

She is proficient in German and enjoys music of all types, particularly classical baroque, classic rock, and jazz.

PAUL B. MICHELLE

Paul B. Michelle, III is the senior vice president of marketing for Universal Media, Inc. one of the largest independent media buying agencies in the country. Prior to his current position he worked as senior vice president marketing & advertising for Belk Department Stores and held senior marketing roles for two other retail companies before joining Belk.

Paul earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Virginia and a Master of Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Paul has served on several church governing boards over the years. As someone with a great appreciation of all forms of music, he looks forward to working with the Charlotte Master Chorale to draw on its long-storied history to broaden its audience within the larger community.

ANN REED
Vice President

In 2021, Ann Reed retired from a legal career that included over thirty years in-house at MetLife and then Brighthouse Financial, where she most recently held the position of Deputy General Counsel. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Smith Collage and a JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Ann currently serves on the board of Opera Carolina and is an Elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church. She has sung with choirs off and on throughout her life–from singing in church choirs as a child, to singing in her college glee club and, current date, to singing in her church choir under the direction of Kenney Potter.

Ann believes in the inspirational and healing power of music—for both the musicians and the audience—and is thrilled to be able to support and advocate for the Master Chorale.

Favorite choral works:J. S. Bach’s “Magnificat” and Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms”

MANLEY ROBERTS
President

Vice President

Manley Roberts is retired from his career as a finance attorney. He was a partner in McGuireWoods LLP. Before that, he was a judicial clerk for Judge Irving Goldberg in the Federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and an associate at Williams & Connolly in Washington, D.C. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a J.D. from Yale Law School.

Manley is currently a bass in the Charlotte Master Chorale and has sung with that group (and its predecessor choirs: the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte and Charlotte Symphony Chorus) since 1993. He has also performed with various other singing groups around town, including a jazz a capella group, and a legal parody group called The Mecklenburg Bar Revue. He is a currently a piano accompanist for the Caldwell Presbyterian Church gospel choir.

Favorite Choral Work: Bach B Minor Mass
Favorite Composer:Bach, but Mozart is a close second.

ROBERT STICKLER

Robert Sticker is a former journalist and communications professional who spent his career in corporate communications roles at Barnett Banks, Inc. and NationsBank, later Bank of America. Robert also served as CEO of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra from 2012-2016. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from Northwestern University.

Robert’s past board experience includes the former Oratorio Singers of Charlotte, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and the Charlotte Museum of History. Robert brings great experience with symphony and chorus management to the Charlotte Master Chorale board of directors.

Favorite choral work or other piece of music: Symphony No. 2 by Sibelius, Handel’s “Messiah”

Favorite composer Beethoven

ERIC TEEL

Eric Teel serves as Program Director for WFAE. He comes to WFAE with more than 30 years of public radio programming experience across a wide variety of formats.

Prior to his arrival in Charlotte, Teel served as program director for Jefferson Public Radio (JPR) in southern Oregon, overseeing a 26-station broadcast network with three unique program offerings — news, classical music and new music discovery. During that time, Teel managed JPR’s award-winning newsroom, contributed stories to NPR, and produced a pair of feature-length broadcast specials carried nationwide. He also helped design and build a pair of broadcast facilities, and participated in the restoration and renovation of a historic performance venue in northern California.

Before his time in Oregon, Teel worked as music director for a public radio station in the Midwest, hosted a live sports call-in program and even dipped a toe into the top-40 music world for a brief time. Teel’s music roots stretch back to childhood, with expertise in everything from classical music to contemporary indie rock. He’s a regular contributor to NPR Music and was the creator and host of a popular podcast called JPR Live Sessions, which featured over 600 live studio performances with musical artists ranging from north African Touareg desert rockers to mezzo-sopranos from the Metropolitan Opera.

When not at work, Teel can be found enjoying live music, exploring the bike trails of North Carolina, or watching his favorite sports teams with his wife and three shelter dogs.

SARAH BARTON THOMAS
Singer Representative

Sarah Barton Thomas is currently the Head of Lower School at Trinity Episcopal School in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her twenty-four-year teaching and learning journey has led her from the music classroom, the opera world, the computer lab, and the coaching field to the principal’s desk and the leadership table. A native of Maryland, Sarah is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, where she received her B.S. Ed in vocal music education, and Johns Hopkins University, where she obtained her M.S.Ed in School Administration. She is a third-year doctoral student pursuing a Doctor of Educational Ministry in Educational Leadership at Virginia Theological Seminary.

Sarah fell in love with singing in elementary school and has continued to sing with choral organizations throughout her life. A student of Patricia Bowers Schultz in undergraduate school gave her a fond affection for chanson and 20th-century American art song. From madrigals and show choir in college to concert halls in Baltimore (Baltimore Choral Arts Society) and Atlanta (Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus), and now in her second season with the Charlotte Master Chorale, she is delighted to sing with the sparkling second sopranos. Sarah is a member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church and serves as a Charlotte Marathon Ambassador. In her spare time, she enjoys running, reading nerdy-teacher books, exploring the trails, snuggling with her rescue pup, Toby, and savoring the perfect cup of coffee.

Favorite choral works: Ola Gjeilo’s “Luminous Night of the Soul,” Verdi’s Requiem, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms

JESSE M. “JAY” TILLMAN

Jesse M. “Jay” Tillman, III was a deputy commissioner of the North Carolina Industrial Commission and recently returned to private practice at the firm of FrostEchols. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a juris doctor from Campbell University. Jay is a retired Captain from the United States Navy (Reserve Component) and flew EA-6B Prowlers in Operation Desert Shield and in post-Desert Storm operations. As a reservist he was activated for Operations Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve and others in the Middle East and South America.

Jay has an extensive musical background that began with his time as a choirboy in the Durham Boys Choir and the North Carolina Boys Choir. This extended to his college days as a member of the Clef Hangers at Chapel Hill and the Naval Air Training Command Choir and the Turbotones while in the U.S. Navy. He has served as president of the Charlotte Symphony Chorus and a director of Bach Akademie Charlotte and the North Carolina Boys Choir. Jay currently sings tenor in the Charlotte Master Chorale.

Favorite choral work: Handel’s “Messiah”

Favorite composer: Bach