Daytona Beach Choral Society

The Daytona Beach Choral Society was organized in 1974 under the direction of Mr. David Mathews, who was the organist at Seabreeze United Church. Mr. Mathews envisioned a community chorus for Daytona Beach, and through his efforts an organization known as "The Civic Chorus" was born. After passing through a "light music" phase, Mr. Mathews was convinced that the chorus was capable of performing classical works. The name was changed to "Oratorio Chorus".

In the summer of 1977, Dorothea Waddel Tonnesen from the Huntington New York school system became Director. She brought with her a passion to perform a variety of great works. Under her direction, the group prepared requiem masses by Haydn, Verdi, Cherubini, Beethoven, and Mozart. Semi-classical music included works from major Broadway musicals. The group incorporated in 1979 under the name of "Daytona Beach Choral Society.

Director

Artistic Director, Fred R. Eshleman, is a distinguished professional musician and choir director. Choirs under his direction have consistently been recognized for their excellence and invited to perform at music festivals, inaugurations, and special events at venues including The Capital, Washington, D.C. and the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. In addition to his work with the Daytona Beach Choral Society, he is also the Minister of Music, First Presbyterian Church, Deland. Mr. Eshleman is also familiar to many in Volusia County for his appearances as substitute organist for several local churches.

Accompanist

Tim Murphy is well known to followers of the Daytona Beach Choral Society with whom he has been associated for many years as an associate accompanist and, since 1996, the principal accompanist. Mr. Murphy is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Piano and currently maintains a piano studio of forty students throughout the Volusia County area. He is also a member of Tre Corde, a performing trio featuring six hands on one piano.