Someone once said that listening to a great choral masterpiece is like hearing the voice of the soul. The author of that quote is anonymous, but for those who love to sing or to listen to the works of Handel, Bach, Mozart and the other great composers from the Renaissance era all the way to today's more contemporary music of Aaron Copland and Ralph Vaughan Williams, the quote expresses the spiritual depth of the art form of choral music. The Mastersingers perform music in languages as diverse as Latin, Russian, German, and French, as well as English. Rehearsals are dedicated not only to preparing the music, but to the principles of voice production and fundamental choral techniques. Each individual is an important element in the overall sound of the group.

The Mastersingers was formed to offer singers a challenging, all encompassing musical experience. The Mastersingers provide an opportunity for experienced singers to perform a wide range of choral music with strong emphasis on the masterworks thereby promoting and enhancing the choral art form in the Southwest Florida community. The group offers singers the challenge of enhancing their musical skills while enjoying the familial atmosphere of a select group of singers. Selection of music is intended for the enrichment and growth of the singer as well as for the enjoyment of audiences.

Although emphasizing the great choral master composers, the group performs a variety of music for both large and small audiences in sacred and secular settings. In the past six years, the Mastersingers have brought Handel's Messiah, Verdi's immortal Requiem, the haunting melodies of the Brahms Requiem, the consolation of Mozart's Requiem (immediately following 9/11), the soaring choral sounds of Mendelssohn's Elijah, the simple devotion of negro spirituals such as Ain't A That Good News and Ezekiel Saw Da Wheel, the rich harmony of Thomas Victoria's O Vos Omnes, and a host of other choral pieces that have delighted audiences.

Under the direction of Jeff Faux, the 75 voice ensemble of vocal musicians enjoys a reputation of musical excellence and innovative programs. The group performs approximately six to eight concerts each season.

The Fort Myers Symphonic Chorus, doing business as The Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers, is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization incorporated in the State of Florida.

We invite you to get to know us through our music!