Artistic Director
Artistic Director
Artistic Director
David Holladay
The Orange Park Chorale welcomed David Holladay as our Artistic Director, starting in the fall semester of 2018.
Mr. Holladay came to Jacksonville in 1989 to join the staff of Riverside Baptist Church as Associate Minister with responsibilities for worship planning and, together with his wife Mary, the music program of the Ch
David Holladay
The Orange Park Chorale welcomed David Holladay as our Artistic Director, starting in the fall semester of 2018.
Mr. Holladay came to Jacksonville in 1989 to join the staff of Riverside Baptist Church as Associate Minister with responsibilities for worship planning and, together with his wife Mary, the music program of the Church. In 2007, David became Pastor of Riverside Baptist Church. In 2012, David left Riverside Baptist to become a Staff Chaplain for Community Hospice and Palliative Care.
David holds a Bachelor of Church Music Degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Master of Church Music from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY. David has sung with First Coast Chorus, One Accord and the Vocal Theory Project. In addition to his present position as Artistic Director of the Orange Park Chorale, David also sings with the River City Men’s Chorus and the Riverside Park United Methodist Church Chancel Choir.
Accompanist
Artistic Director
Artistic Director
Lisa Heath
Lisa Heath has spent many happy years singing and playing piano for choirs and arts organizations. For thirty years in Miami, she was involved in the Miami Bach Society (founded by her late husband Robert Heath), the University of Miami Collegium Musicum, and a number of church choirs as both singer and pianist. She has a Ph.D.
Lisa Heath
Lisa Heath has spent many happy years singing and playing piano for choirs and arts organizations. For thirty years in Miami, she was involved in the Miami Bach Society (founded by her late husband Robert Heath), the University of Miami Collegium Musicum, and a number of church choirs as both singer and pianist. She has a Ph.D. in English, and taught British and American literature at the University of Miami before taking time out to homeschool her two children from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Lisa is a spiritual director and a prayer minister at her church. She enjoys gardening, birdwatching, cooking, and her book club. She plays her beloved Steinway baby grand piano every day, and is delighted to be accompanying the Orange Park Chorale this season.
Board of Directors
Harolyn Sharpe, Chair
Amy Bandalos, Vice Chair
Amy Bandalos, Vice Chair
Amy Bandalos, Vice Chair
Amy Bandalos, Vice Chair
Amy Bandalos, Vice Chair
Deb Felts, Secretary
Amy Bandalos, Vice Chair
Susan Horn, Treasurer
Susan Horn, Treasurer
Amy Bandalos, Vice Chair
Susan Horn, Treasurer
Mary Jeanette Howle, Board Member
Tim Ware, Board Member
Bridget Ware, Board Member
Bridget Ware, Board Member
Tim Ware, Board Member
Bridget Ware, Board Member
Tim Ware, Board Member
Tim Ware, Board Member
Tim Ware, Board Member
The Orange Park Chorale - Fall 2024
The History of The Orange Park Chorale
In 1992, Dr. Carole Clifford, a professional singer and voice instructor, moved with her husband from Jacksonville to Orange Park, Florida. She and her adult voice students wished that Clay County, like Jacksonville, could offer and celebrate choral music; thus, The Orange Park Chorale was born. Dr. Clifford decided that The Chorale would be an auditioned group, and would be named to identify its place in the community. In a truly grassroots effort, auditions were advertised in local papers and through word-of-mouth. Some 20 singers showed up to audition and, according to Dr. Clifford, “they were quality singers, too!” It wasn’t long before members were paying dues to purchase music and pay a professional accompanist — something that ensured the consistency and quality of the music.
Early Success
In fall 1993, The Orange Park Chorale gave its first concert, performing Vivaldi’s Gloria and Vaughn Williams’ A Song of Thanksgiving, among other pieces. More than thirty years later, The Chorale has grown to more than 40 members and has expanded both its repertoire and reputation.
Following the successful beginning, a Board of Directors was formed and officers were elected. In July 2000, The Chorale incorporated in the State of Florida and obtained 501(c)(3) non-profit status.
Also in 2000, The Orange Park Chorale participated in a special, first-of-its kind event entitled, Sing For The Cure: A Proclamation of Hope. The piece was a song cycle dedicated to those affected by breast cancer and was commissioned by the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation. Dr. Clifford responded to an ad that was seeking choirs to premier this piece as part of a fundraising event. After submitting an audition recording, The Chorale was chosen to be one of three groups in the nation participating in satellite premiers of the work. The piece was performed at Jacksonville University with local television anchor and breast cancer advocate, Jeannie Blaylock, narrating.
Breakout Performances
A few years after the Chorale was founded, a smaller select group called The Ensemble was formed to perform with the larger chorus, on tour and at various events. In 1999 alone, The Ensemble gave 15 performances of Gospel Mass by Robert Ray. That year, the group performed the piece in several Jacksonville venues, as well as Atlanta, Georgia and Tallahassee, Florida. In later years, The Ensemble continued to serve as an outreach arm of The Chorale, performing at various locations throughout Jacksonville and in other parts of Florida.
Some special moments for The Chorale included the 2002 performance of We Remember Them – The Holocaust Cantata, composed by Jacksonville native, Donald McCullough. The group had the unique experience of performing this work at the Jacksonville Jewish Center Synagogue, and the concert included a multimedia presentation featuring photos from the Holocaust era, adding another layer of emotion to an already heartfelt performance.
In 2004, The Chorale joined with the Jacksonville Masterworks Chorale and a 19-piece orchestra for two performance of John Rutter’s Requiem. The next year, a stage production of Stephen Schwartz’s Children of Eden was presented. In more recent years, another stage production, this one called The Music of Gilbert and Sullivan was performed.
The year 2005 was a busy one for The Chorale, with it hosting an Invitational Choral Festival with acclaimed composer and conductor, Mark Hayes. A full festival choir composed of teenagers and adults had a full day of rehearsal one day and the next day performed a concert of Mark Hayes compositions. The Chorale has always had a special emphasis of promoting music of living American composers. This emphasis has continued though the years with concerts featuring Northeast Florida composers as well.
New Era, Same Commitment
After 15 years, Carole Clifford retired from her role as Artistic Director at the end of the 2008/2009 season. After a period of interim directors, the Board named the next Artistic Director in 2012 and has benefited from other talented and spirited directors since, including the following:
- Evan Powers (co-director 2012-14)
- J. Mark Scott (co-director 2012-14)
- Amy Young (associate director 2012-13)
- Dr. Tim Snyder (2014-16)
- Dr. Timothy Workman (2016-17)
- David Holladay (2018 - present)
