Carolina Concert Choir

The Carolina Concert Choir began in 1979 as the Carolina Chamber Singers, a madrigal group  of 12 voices. The group was under the direction of Dr. Robert Barrow, retired head of the Music Department at Williams College. From 1980 to 1996, the choir was directed by Beverly Ward, dean of the Western North Carolina chapter of the Guild of Organists. The group performed classical and contemporary pieces, some composed by Ward. For the next six years, now renamed the Carolina Concert Choir, the group was led by several guest conductors. In 2002, Bradford Gee was hired as Artistic  Director/Conductor. He led the Choir until 2013. Under his aegis, the Choir performed at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina in  2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009.

In 2013, Professor Lawrence Doebler became the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Choir. He had a rich and varied career as a choral  conductor, teacher, clinician and organizer. He holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Washington University. He first taught and conducted at  Smith College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Then, throughout his 35 years at Ithaca College, in addition to concert performances there, he led the Ithaca College Choral Union and Symphony Orchestra in concerts at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and other major venues. During his five years with the Carolina Concert Choir, Professor Doebler led them with performances providing an eclectic repertoire of classical, popular, and unique compositions such as Carmina Burana. He took the choir to perform the Mozart Requiem at Carnegie Hall during May 2018.

Today, under the direction of Artistic Director and Conductor, Dr. Michael Lancaster, the Carolina Concert Choir is comprised of the highly capable voices of auditioned singers from Hendersonville, Asheville, Brevard and upstate South Carolina. Their repertoire continues with a varied mix from the classical choral and choral/symphonic literature and lighter fare, including many favorites at concerts. The Carolina Concert Choir is proud to take its place along with Flat Rock Playhouse, the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra and local arts organizations in enriching the cultural environment of the community.