Florida Singing Sons: Raising Voices
Oakland Park, Florida (PRWEB) September 17, 2015 -- The Florida Singing Sons (FSS), a Broward County-based cultural institution, has delighted audiences since 1975. The Choir is unique in that it is one of highest regarded boychoirs in the US. In March 2015, the Board selected a long time associate of the boychoir, Dr. Daniel Copher, as its new Executive Director. The shift change at FSS is enhanced with the selection of Mr. Brett Karlin as the new FSS Artistic Director.
With the appointments of Dr. Copher and Mr. Karlin, the pieces are in place to advance FSS to the national stage.
“We are very pleased to announce this appointment,” reported Holly Aragon, the FSS Board Chair. “Daniel will bring leadership and creativity to the Choir’s programs and a deep sense of commitment to community. He has served nonprofits at all program, fundraising, executive and leadership levels, and has a breadth of perspective and artistic experience, plus he has been associated with the boychoir for years.”
Dr. Copher’s expansive resume includes his fifteen year tenure as Organist / Choirmaster at All Saints Episcopal Church in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Dr. Copher also founded RiverSounds, a concert series of top choral and instrumental musicians. Prior to his appointment, Dr. Copher served thirteen seasons as the FSS Music Associate / Accompanist. In addition, he is an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton where he provides instruction in classical music appreciation, history of jazz and history of rock and roll.
“I look forward to expanding my service to the FSS and to partner with other nonprofit organizations in this new capacity,” remarks Copher. “I am dedicated to the Boychoir because it provides vital cultural enrichment to our community, and plays a key role in developing choristers’ voices, many of whom have embarked upon successful musical careers that were based upon the skills acquired while at FSS.”
Dr. Copher is already working to address fiscal challenges that include FSS support to the talented, yet economically challenged choristers in the South Florida community. “FSS provided scholarships to 32% of choristers in 2015-2016. I am committed to expanding our corporate sponsorships as a way to acquire the resources to continue to do so.”
Recently it was discovered that the Florida Singing Sons logo was very similar to that of the Smithsonian Institute. The evolution of the sunburst logo into a more graphic adaptation stimulates both the aesthetic and intellect. Details of how this new logo evolved will be included in the new web site currently in design development and slated to be online later this summer. Embedded in this logo’s development is the Circle of 5ths, Golden Mean and other geometric elements such as Rose Windows found in many Gothic Cathedrals.
The artistic direction of the FSS is also set for greatness. Mr. Brett Karlin in his role as the new FSS Artistic Director will bring a breadth of experience that is well suited to guiding the choir to the National stage. Mr. Karlin will leave his previous posts as chorus master for Florida Grand Opera and director of Seraphic Fire's youth choir program, the Miami Choral Academy, to take over the musical direction of FSS.
“I am absolutely thrilled to join Florida Singing Sons as artistic director. This organization has a rich history of musical excellence and community service, and stands as a beacon of music education in South Florida. I look forward to working with the choristers to create unique, engaging, and inspiring programs that will appeal to a wide audience of listeners, as well as representing the cultural fabric of South Florida through national and international performance tours."
Mr. Karlin will continue his post as artistic director of the Master Chorale of South Florida, a 120-voice symphony chorus, for which he will conduct choral-orchestral masterworks, as well as prepare the chorus for collaborations with renowned artists like Andrea Bocelli and The Cleveland Orchestra.
Mr. Karlin began his South Florida musical career in 2009 as the assistant conductor for Seraphic Fire, where he assisted with both of the ensemble's Grammy nominated recordings, A Seraphic Fire Christmas and Brahm’s Ein Deutches Requiem. Subsequently, Mr. Karlin served as director of choral studies at Hillsborough Community College, where he doubled the choral department’s enrollment and stage directed and conducted the college’s first opera and oratorio performances. Mr. Karlin will undoubtedly bring his wealth of experience as educator and high caliber professional musician to the young singers of FSS, resulting in a thrilling musical experience for the South Florida community.
Holly Aragon, the FSS Board Chair, remarked, “Brett is recognized nationally for his great work with choral groups. We are so excited to have him join the family. The boys will benefit greatly from the professionalism and creativity that he brings.
FSS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to foster the musical knowledge, education and vocal training of its members through performances and community events and to provide the community with a source of pride in the talent and professional achievement of its youth.
See http://www.SingingSons.org or call 954 563 2697 for information
Daniel Copher, PhD, Florida Singing Sons, http://www.Singingsons.org, +1 954 563 2697, [email protected]
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