Carolina Master Chorale is Music to Myrtle Beach’s Ears

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The Grand Strand is known for its critically acclaimed live theaters and award-winning music venues. Popular concert spots like the House of Blues and The Palace Theatre, and off-Broadway-style theatres like The Carolina Opry and Alabama Theatre bring entertainment to the masses in Myrtle Beach, playing to packed houses of locals and visitors alike.

But some of the best musical performances on the Grand Strand go off with little fanfare and aren't even on the radar screens of many music-lovers. That's because the Carolina Master Chorale, a non-profit group of local singers and musicians, don't often receive the red-carpet treatment or attract the neon-lite attention of a commercial enterprise. But for people who appreciate the purity and power of an acappella performance over the glitz and glamour of a professional production, the Carolina Master Chorale is a diamond in the rough amid a sea of high-profile acts.

Serving the greater Myrtle Beach area for 34 years, the Carolina Master Chorale is made up of a surprisingly talented collection of local musicians. Although the city's permanent population of about 30,000 isn't typically large enough to support such a professional-caliber choir, the abundance of out-of-state residents who relocate to the Grand Strand provide a wealth of talent and experience to earn the Carolina Master Chorale state, national and international acclaim. Combined with the grassroots support of native musicians, the Carolina Master Chorale strikes a chord in the community and abroad.

Locally, the CMC has performed at the annual South Carolina Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, the Myrtle Beach Performing Arts Center and other venues. Internationally, the CMC has completed six performance tours, giving concerts throughout Great Britain, Austria, Italy, Denmark, Germany, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Costa Rica. In June 2012, the Chorale performed tour concerts in Finland; Estonia; and Russia.

The Carolina Master Chorale does much more than carry a tune; it also carries a torch into the local arts community. Dedicated to its mission to promote the choral arts and present exceptional performances, the group also works to enhance arts and music education in local schools and youth programs to enrich the cultural lives of audiences and the Coastal Carolina area. Members volunteer their time at schools, churches and community centers to pass on the magic of music to the next generation of singers and inspire their passions for self-expression through performing for live audiences.

The Carolina Master Chorale has a full schedule of upcoming concerts for music-lovers looking for a nice evening out in Myrtle Beach. In conjunction with the Long Bay Symphony, a sister organization dedicated to the instrumental arts, the two make beautiful music together at select dual performances. Fresh off their local tour of churches with their “Outbreak of Peace” production, the Carolina Master Choral presents a back by popular demand performance of “My Funny Valentine,” a collection of heart-felt and hilarious songs, just in time for Valentine's Day. Shows are set for Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Surfside Beach, Feb. 13 at 4 p.m. at Seaside Methodist Church, and Feb. 14 at 4 p.m. at Trinity Church in Myrtle Beach. This show provides the ideal date opportunity for Valentine's Day.

Coming in the spring, the Carolina Master Chorale presents “American Heroes” as a tribute to local first responders, community leaders, charitable workers, decorated athletes and historical icons. This inspirational performance is for two nights only – April 23 at the Ocean View Baptist Church, and April 24 at Trinity Church – both at 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance for this show, and for all the other performances, by visiting http://www.carolinamasterchorale.com