Gloria This season, Artistic Director Dr. Marilyn Overturf has chosen a program of choruses and carols of praise and inspiration. Bach chorales and "Et incarnatus est" from his "Mass in b minor" begin the program , followed by two Renaissance motets. Great choruses of praise by Handel, Dvorak, Kopylow, and Haydn complete the first part of the program. In the second part of the program the Okaloosa Chamber Singers, joined by the audience, sing some of our most beloved carols. Popular Christmas songs including "I'll be Home for Christmas" complete the program.  Florida Chautauqua, Inc., sponsors of the December 4 afternoon concert, will provide cookies and punch punch on the front porch of the church after the concert. To complete this "Christmas" experience, concert goers may walk or ride around the Defuniak lake, enjoying the beautiful decorations and lights displayed on the property and homes surrounding the lake. Friday, December 2, 2011 7:30 PM First United Methodist Church 103 SE First Street Fort Walton Beach, FL Sunday, December 4, 2011 4:00 in the afternoon First United Methodist Church 88 Circle Drive DeFuniak Springs, FL Spring 2012 Concert Dr. Michael Hix, professional bass/baritone and faculty member at Troy University will join with OCS for concerts at the end of March, 2012.  Highlights of those programs include Brahm's "Liebeslieder Waltzes" and Bach's "Cantata 158," for bass and choir. Dr. Hix first appeared with the Chamber Singers on December 2008 programs performing Bach's "Grosser Herr" from the "Christmas Oratorio." Admission to Okaloosa Chamber Singers concerts is free, with a suggested donation of $15.00 at the door.   "Listen to the Okaloosa Chamber Singers" Mozart's "Te Deum" (excerpt)

For More Information, Call 850-682-9651

 

Founded in June of 1994 by Dr. Marilyn Overturf, the Okaloosa Chamber Singers is an auditioned ensemble composed of approximately 24 advanced singers from Okaloosa County and surrounding communities. 

OCS strives to bring the highest caliber choral music and vocal performance to northwest Florida.  Music of the Renaissance through the Contemporary periods is explored, including both accompanied and a cappella repertoire.  During the past ten seasons the Okaloosa Chamber Singers has brought its music to five area cities:  Niceville, Ft. Walton Beach, DeFuniak Springs, Destin, and Crestview.  OCS has also performed at the Pensacola Museum of Art and The Seaside Institute. 

Selected by audition by the Florida Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association as the representative community choir in our state, OCS sang for the 1997 fall ACDA workshop held in Gainesville at the University of Florida.  For several years Okaloosa Chamber Singers concerts have been recorded by WUWF for presentation on 88.1, the public radio station of northwest Florida.

As an established vocal ensemble, OCS has featured regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized guest artists including harpsichordist Karyl Louwenaar-Lueck, harpist Mary Brigid Roman, lutenist Gary Piazza, bass/baritone Roy Delp, tenor David LaJeunesse, soprano Mary Ann Friedman, bass/baritone Sam Waite, baritone Dr. Michael Hix, pianists Daniel Nagy, Michelle Tredway, and Loretta Hake, trumpeter Dr. James Zingara, and composer Dr. David Ott.

OCS is also committed to showcasing outstanding local young musical talent by providing educational and performing opportunities. Recent featured local musicians include "Images," the talented seventh grade select ensemble from Richbourg Middle School in Crestview, Fort Walton Beach High School harpist Katie Ott, "Chanticleer", a vocal ensemble from Crestview High School, and "Opus 1" from Niceville High School, Rocky Bayou Christian School Brass Quartet, Gulf Coast Harp Ensemble, and Vivace String Quartet from the Northwest Florida Youth Symphony Orchestra. Now a prominent professional harpist, Katie Ott was again featured with OCS for concerts in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010.

The popular "Festival of Hymns" program performed by OCS the past several years, has served to showcase young talent, and involve the assembly in performing some of our most beloved hymns.  These programs have also highlighted the talent of Kim Cannon, Christian pianist and Director of Music at the Destin United Methodist Church.