A choir for the CNY community

Our 60-voice choir draws singers primarily from Onondaga and Cayuga Counties in Central New York. Some have been with the Chorale for decades, others for a few or several years, and some just joined this season. New members, from high school age up, are welcome in September and January. We rehearse weekly from September through May, learn exciting choral music, and perform at beautiful concert venues. 

The Chamber Singers, a smaller auditioned ensemble, learn additional material and perform a varied repertoire of a cappella and accompanied music at nonprofit events in the area. Besides serving as the Chorale’s “ambassador” group, the Chamber Singers also perform separate selections at many of our concerts.  

Fresh voices welcome!

Interested in singing with MasterWorks Chorale? If you are high school age or older, we invite you to give us a try, free of charge, at our open rehearsals in September and January, from 7:00 to 9:15 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Skaneateles [map]. Singers of all abilities and experience are invited to sit in, preview our upcoming concert program, and consider becoming a member. No auditions needed; new singers meet with our music director to determine voice part. 

We rehearse from September to December, and from January to May. Weekly rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:15 p.m. in Dobson Hall (upstairs) at First Presbyterian Church, 97 East Genesee Street, Skaneateles. [map], unless otherwise advised A Saturday morning rehearsal at the concert venue precedes most of our concerts. 

Concerts by the full choir are presented in October, November, December and March. Our Spring Gala, a festive fundraising event featuring dinner and entertainment, is held in May. We book additional performances by our Chamber Singers ensemble during the concert season.

Membership dues, set each year by the Board of Directors, help to defray our expenses for printed music, venue rentals, director and assistant director, rehearsal and concert accompanist, publicity and programs, and guest vocalists and instrumentalists. Funding assistance is available. 

At our Annual Meeting, usually held in May, all current members are welcome to discuss the previous season, preview the next season, review the operating budget, and vote on new directors and officers. 

For more details, check our For Singers page.

Chorale leadership

Micheal “Mickey” Kringer: longtime music educator, now our music director
Micheal “Mickey” Kringer, music director of MasterWorks Chorale, retired in 2019 from a three-decade career with Skaneateles High School. Leading the school’s choral and drama programs, he directed over a dozen choral ensembles, attaining high regional and national ratings; directed more than 80 musical and dramatic productions; led a bell choir; and took the madrigal choir to perform by invitation at the 2000 White House Christmas celebration. Mickey has held music leadership positions with community theatre companies in Washington, DC; Hyattsville, MD; and Skaneateles. He served as contemporary choir director for St. Matthew’s Archdiocesan Cathedral in Washington, and as music and choir director for St. Mary’s of the Lake Church in Skaneateles. An alumnus of Onondaga Community College, Mickey earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from the Catholic University of America and his master’s in choral music education from Ithaca College. Prior to his 2023-24 appointment as music director of MasterWorks Chorale, Mickey served for two seasons as assistant conductor. He succeeds Kip Coerper, ChM, who was the Chorale’s music director for the previous 11 years.

Our volunteer Board of Directors:
Attilio De Falco, president
Mickey Kringer, music director
Meghan Dunham
Pam Freeman
Nancy Hart
Patricia Jensen
Meghan Littlejohn
Todd Marshall
Katie Moran
Bruce Osborne
Eileen Ordinetz
Susan Wolstenholme