The Savannah Philharmonic Chorus is an auditioned chorus of 90 volunteer singers led by Chorus Master Paul Thornock. The chorus performs with the Savannah Philharmonic presenting major choral-orchestral works as well as popular music at events like Phil the Park.
The chorus’ repertoire of major works includes Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius, Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s Creation, Mozart’s Mass in C minor and Requiem, Orff’s Carmina Burana, Poulenc’s Gloria, and Verdi’s Requiem. They also perform smaller works by composers such as Copland (Old American Songs), Jessica French, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Stephanie Martin, and Sibelius.
In the 2024-25 Season the chorus performed Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, several of Sibelius’ orchestrated songs including the beloved Finlandia, a concert of spirituals and gospel music with guest conductor Jason Max Ferdinand, as well as joining Andrea Bocelli for a special performance on Valentine’s Day.
In the 2025-26 Season the chorus will perform Mozart’s Requiem, Vaughan Williams’ Flos campi, as well as concert of famous opera choruses by Verdi, Puccini, and Borodin.
Being a member of the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus reflects a sincere desire to participate in the creation of great music, and implies a commitment to to sing a full complement of concerts that is dictated by the season’s schedule.
Chorus members generally have previous experience singing or playing a musical instrument and come to us from a wide variety of professions and neighborhoods of Savannah and the surrounding area.
The chorus rehearses Tuesday evenings in Midtown Savannah, August through May. Chorus members receive perks such as private voice lessons, coaching in singing foreign languages, chorus parties, and first dibs on concert tickets.
Special thanks to Calvary Day School and Calvary Baptist Temple for providing the chorus with rehearsal space.
Auditions for the 2025-26 Season are taking place throughout the late spring and summer months on May 20, June 21, and August 5. Learn more about auditions and claim your audition spot!
In addition to our auditioned chorus, the Savannah Philharmonic hosts a Chorus Camp in the Summer open to singers throughout the city and region. In 2024 over 100 singers came together to study excellent repertoire, receive musical & vocal instruction, and meet others who also love to sing. We look forward to hosting again on June 16-18, 2025. Registration is now open!
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).
Artistic Manager
Sharon Mays serves as the Artistic Manager for the Savannah Philharmonic. Additionally, she is a Choral Scholar at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist and a Conductor of the Schola Stella Maris at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she hosts summer camps for children and teenagers on Gregorian chant.
Prior to these roles, she taught Latin and directed the choral program at The Habersham School. Sharon received her Bachelor of Music in Sacred Music from Samford University and her Master of Music in Choral Studies from the University of Cambridge.
Monica Dekle, Pianist
Leah Dutton, Librarian
Rebecca Flaherty, Vocal Coach
Cameron Fuhrman, Pianist
William Lavonis, Vocal Coach
Jonathan Murphy, Pianist
Tina Zenker Williams, Diction Coach
Leah Anestos
Kelly Bell
Cailey D’Aguillo
Christina D’Aguillo
Aisleen Daly
Rebecca Davis
Jody Krepel DeLiguori
Vivienne English
Amanda Fite
Donna Maria Gambrell
Malia Hilleary
Brandy Hopkins
Angela Hopper-Lee
Katy Keyes
Cheri Leffler
Danielle Maillet
Mary Matsler
Kara Mobley
Avril Niemann
Laura Orsi
Terilyn Palanca
Olivia Pescatore
Lauren Ricciardelli
Kat Scandura
Rebecca Sentman
Sarah Westcott
Carol Benton
Florence Bryant
Diane Davis
Marion Edens
Gretchen Ernest
Susan Ganas
Barbara Gooby
Emi Higashiyama
Annette Howell
Barbara Jenks
Mimi Krupp
Diane McCabe
Crystal Nichols
Terri Norburg
Tara Oviedo
Juliet Pearl
Renee Portell
Geraldine Pufahl
Amanda Royek
Heather Sano
Kathryn Shields
Dawn Stanford
Daniella Thompson
Alana Young
Nayaraq Armstrong
Brian Dennison
Eric Doane
David Edwards
Dennis Fields
Bill Gardner
Alex Hencinski
Paulette Hosti
Kevin Knell
Tony Lembeck
David Lotz
Kathleen McGuire
James Sentman
Darren Weaver
Roberto Avila III
John Bryan
Chris Campbell
Richard Cheong
Moses Friedman
Jason Fuller
Andrew Gibson
Bob Greenberg
Stephen Guarino
William Hagan
Kai Jorgensen
William Maher
Brian O’Leary
Paul Parco
James Shields
Harmon Shinall
Timothy Teeter
James Vandeveer
Gary Weddel
