The Savannah Philharmonic Chorus is an auditioned chorus of 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 will perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, several of Sibelius’ orchestrated songs including the beloved Finlandia, and a concert of spirituals and gospel music with guest conductor Jason Max Ferdinand.
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. The chorus rehearses Tuesday evenings in Midtown Savannah, August through May. If you have further questions regarding the chorus, please contact Sharon Mays, Artistic Manager.
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).
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 for the Latin Mass at Sacred Heart. 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.
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
Hilary Jones
Katy Keyes
Cheri Leffler
Danielle Maillet
Mary Matsler
Kara Mobley
Avril Niemann
Laura Orsi
Terilyn Palanca
Olivia Pescatore
Sue Prior
Lauren Ricciardelli
Kat Scandura
Rebecca Sentman
Elizabeth Uppenbrink
Sarah Westcott
Nayaraq Armstrong
Carol Benton
Bonnie Brault
Florence Bryant
Diane Davis
Marion Edens
Gretchen Ernest
Susan Ganas
Karen Girardeau
Barbara Gooby
Emi Higashiyama
Annette Howell
Barbara Jenks
Clarissa Johnson
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
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
Richard Cheong
John Gass
Andrew Gibson
Bob Greenberg
Stephen Guarino
William Hagan
Kai Jorgensen
William Maher
Jacob Marks
Brian O’Leary
Paul Parco
James Shields
Harmon Shinall
Timothy Teeter
James Vandeveer
Gary Weddel
