Join with members of the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and lift your voice this summer! Sing inspiring pieces with our chorus master Paul Thornock, review the fundamentals of healthy singing, brush up on your music reading skills , and meet other singers from throughout the region.
Chorus Camp is held 5:45-9:30PM on Monday, June 15 through Wednesday, June 17, in Downtown Savannah at Regina Coeli Hall in the undercroft of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. This space is handicap accessible.
Here’s what each evening will look like at Chorus Camp:
Our final evening of camp will feature a short concert at 8:40pm for friends and family with a small chamber orchestra, and a reception following. You can learn more about Chorus Camp in a special live episode of our Soundtrack of Savannah podcast.
The $125 registration fee covers catered dinner & dessert each evening and all instruction. If finances are a hindrance to your participation, please contact Sharon Mays to discuss a scholarship.
Chorus Master
Sponsored by Brenda Kenworthy, in memory of Brian Kenworthy
Dr. Paul Thornock is Director of Music and Organist at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, Georgia, where he conducts the semi-professional Cathedral Choir, the fully professional Choral Scholars, and acts as Artistic Director for the Friends of Cathedral Music concert series.
Before coming to Savannah, Dr. Thornock was the director of music at St. Joseph Cathedral in Columbus, Ohio and St. James Cathedral in Seattle. He has also taught at the University of Puget Sound, Capital University, and Trinity Lutheran Seminary. He holds degrees from the University of Puget Sound (BM), the University of Notre Dame (MM), and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (DMA).
Music Theory – Beginner
Tyler Moore is a musician and music educator in Savannah, GA. Tyler teaches music theory at Savannah Arts Academy and serves as a pastor and music director at Hope Bible Church of Savannah. Tyler earned a M.M.Ed. from the University of Georgia and a M.T.S. from Shepherds Theological Seminary.
Music Theory – Advanced
Soprano Tina Zenker Williams debuted as a soloist in 1996, singing Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 with The Florida Orchestra. She has sung with orchestras throughout the Southeast, focusing on the works of Handel, J. S. Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Schubert and others. She has also created and performed special recital programs of American music and Baroque music for the Savannah Music Festival. Tina also enjoys collaborating with chamber groups, and is a founding member of Savannah Baroque. As a professional chorister, she has sung with the Charleston based Taylor Festival Choir, and is a featured soloist on two of their CDs.
Tina is also a passionate music educator, and maintains an active studio working with teenagers and adults, from beginners to emerging professionals. She specializes in technique, musicianship, and audition preparation. Tina has taught in Savannah for the past 25 years. Her students have gone on to lead professional careers in performance, music therapy, music business and management, and teaching. Tina directs the Girls Choir at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, and also serves as the Diction Coach for the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus.
Vocal Fundamentals: Sopranos & Altos
Rebecca Flaherty (she/her) is a classically trained soprano with degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Georgia Southern University, with additional graduate study at the Cleveland Institute of Music. A dedicated performer and teacher of the bel canto technique, she has appeared with organizations including the Savannah Music Festival, Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, Beaufort Symphony, Savannah Winds, and First Coast Opera. Rebecca is deeply passionate about sharing the vocal arts and has played a key role in launching the Savannah Voice Festival while introducing thousands of young listeners to classical music through the Savannah Music Festival’s Musical Explorers Program.
Rebecca is the founder and Artistic Director of SING: Savannah Inspiring the Next Generation, a nonprofit community choir for singers in Kindergarten – 12th grade. She serves as a Vocal Coach with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus. Now in her seventh year teaching with SCCPSS at Marshpoint Elementary, she also serves as Music Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah.
Vocal Fundamentals: Tenors & Basses
Colin Harrison is a Savannah native with over 10 years of experience in musical direction and ensemble education, most notably leading Georgia Southern University’s Southern Gentlemen to an international chorus championship. Colin sings with Servire Chorus, a professional chorus and service organization based in the Southeastern United States. He also serves as the Bass/Baritone section leader for the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, performing as a choral singer and soloist. Currently, Colin works as a psychotherapist in the Savannah area.
Vocal Fundamentals: Soprano & Altos
Elizabeth (Beth) Splaine sang professionally for fifteen years after studying at the New England Conservatory’s extension program. While performing, Beth started teaching and found a new passion in helping others find their unique voices. Twenty-two years later she is on the Rhode Island Philharmonic voice faculty while also maintaining a private studio in her Savannah home. Beth also serves as a Vocal Coach for the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus. When not teaching, Beth enjoys time with her family and dogs, as well as writing novels.
