About/Contact - Masterworks Chorus of the Palm Beaches

Our Mission

The primary purpose of The Masterworks Chorus of the Palm Beaches is to expose and educate its members and the public to great choral masterpieces. The performance of these works from all nationalities, styles and periods will educate, enrich, and enhance the quality of life of its members and the entire community. We strive to make our performances of exceptional quality and affordable to all, to expose students to classical music, and to reach out and attract diverse members and audiences throughout Palm Beach County.

Our History

For 46 years, we have dedicated ourselves to providing superior classical choral works to our community. Members of the chorus are chosen through audition and they put in weeks of rehearsals leading up to each performance. They are not paid for their efforts and regard it as a privilege to sing with this well-known Chorus. This is their passion, and they work hard to present a memorable evening for each performance. Our performances also feature a live orchestra and sought-after local soloists. We pay for this high-quality accompaniment, as well as for concert spaces that provide superior acoustics and ambience, through ticket sales, grants, sponsorships and donations.

Masterworks Chorus of the Palm Beaches was organized in August, 1979 by Dr. Jack W. Jones and several interested members of the community. It was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in February, 1980.

The first rehearsal of the Masterworks Chorus was held on Tuesday, October 9, 1979 at the Royal Poinciana Chapel in Palm Beach. Its first concert was Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, which was presented with orchestra on November 27, 1979 at Bethesda-By-The-Sea Episcopal Church in Palm Beach. There were 70 original members of the chorus.

Bryan Anthony Ijames

Our new Artistic Music Director

Masterworks Chorus of the Palm Beaches has chosen Dr. Bryan A. Ijames, DMA as its next artistic director, replacing Ken Taylor at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 musical season. He is the first Person of Color to hold the role in the organization’s 46-year history. Ijames (pronounced eye-ems) has over 16 years of professional experience in choral music and conducting.

Under his direction, Masterworks Chorus will strengthen its ability to perform new and more complex masterpieces and attract diverse members and audiences. Ijames also plans to establish a choral scholars program, enabling more vocal students to sing with Masterworks. “We are delighted to have found a person of such exceptional training, experience, and passion for conducting choral masterpieces to lead Masterworks Chorus,” said Katherine Combs, president. “Dr. Ijames’ dedication to showcasing the depth of the global choral canon ushers in an exciting new chapter for our organization.”

Prior to his appointment, Ijames was assistant professor of music education and associate professor of choral activities at the Florida Gulf Coast University Bower School of Music and the Arts in Fort Myers, Fla. He has a doctor of musical arts (DMA) in choral conducting from the University of Michigan, a master of music in choral education from Mississippi State University, and a master of music in choral conducting from Eastern Kentucky University. During his doctoral studies, Ijames worked to revive British Sierra-Leonean composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s “The Atonement.” Until Ijames’ research, this sacred cantata was untouched for over 100 years.

No stranger to Palm Beach County, Ijames was a member of the Palm Beach Opera chorus for many years. From 2017-2020, he was assistant coach and conductor of the Ebony Chorale of the Palm Beaches. He also performed with Espressivo, a semi-professional vocal ensemble in Lake Worth, and in the Episcopal Church of Bethesda by the Sea and St. Gregory Episcopal Church choirs in Palm Beach County. Between 2015-2020 he served as director of choral activities at Park Vista Community High School in Lake Worth. He frequently performs as a featured tenor soloist, and has also served as a voice faculty member of Berkshire Choral International in Florida, Colorado, Massachusetts, and Virginia.

KEN TAYLOR

Out-going Artistic Music Director

The Chorus wishes to thank Ken Taylor for the 15 successful years he spent as our Artistic Director. Ken brought his considerable talents to the membership and introduced many innovative and exciting approaches, which we brought to our performances. Before conducting our choir, his choruses consistently received superior ratings at district and state choral festivals since 1991. We certainly benefitted from his talent and experience and we wish Ken all the best in his future endeavors.

DR. JACK W. JONES

Founder

A noted concert organist and native of Daytona Beach, Dr. Jones held a Bachelor of Music degree from Stetson University, Deland, FL, a Master of Sacred Music degree from Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Juilliard School, New York, NY. Jack founded the Masterworks Chorus of the Palm Beaches in 1979 to bring performances of major choral works to Palm Beach County. Dr. Jones served as Organist/Director of Music at the Royal Poinciana Chapel from 1989 until his retirement in 2013. He passed away in 2018.

Cultural Council of the Palm Beaches

Grant Recipient

For over 30 years, the Cultural Council has actively promoted cultural development in Palm Beach County and South Florida by providing services and funding to cultural organizations and artists. We are grateful for their financial assistance.