ABOUT US

People united for the love of singing

History and Mission

Media Chamber Chorale began in 1984 with a group of professional and dedicated amateur singers. We sing diverse music that includes standard choral repertoire as well as spirituals, opera excerpts, madrigals, folk and show tunes. The Chorale has produced annual winter and spring concerts since 1992, and in recent years has performed at many local venues such as the Brandywine River Museum of Art and the Delaware County Summer Festival.

Our purpose is to be inspirational, educational and fun-loving through singing together, challenging ourselves with diverse programs, growing personally, and providing the community with uplifting musical experiences that contribute to the world's beauty, music appreciation, and oneness.

Leadership

Director

JOHN STROUD

Director

John B. Stroud, Jr. is a lifelong Philadelphia resident. As a child he sang with the Philadelphia Boys Choir. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education at Susquehanna University, and a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting at Temple University. He subsequently resumed his affiliation with the Philadelphia Boys Choir, singing with the Choir’s men’s chorale and taking on the role of Associate Music Director. In addition, he teaches music full time at The Haverford School, where he is Chair of the Music Department. Despite this demanding schedule, John is always generous with his time and talent, and continues to inspire the chorale with his equanimity, good humor, and seemingly inexhaustible energy.

Accompanist

WILLIAM J. GATENS

Accompanist

William J. Gatens is director of music at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bridgeport, PA, organist for the Ordinariate Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Mt. Airy and for Congregation Adath Jeshurun in Elkins Park, and a guest organist in many other Philadelphia-area churches. For twenty years (1991–2011) he was Organist-Choirmaster of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Rosemont, and for 11 years he was an announcer for Philadelphia's classical music station WFLN-FM until the station ceased operations in 1997. He holds a B.A. from Swarthmore College as well as the B.A., M.A., and D.Phil. from Oxford University. He is a regular contributor to American Record Guide and has published numerous articles, essays, and reviews of books and musical editions.

Board of Directors