As choruses across the country prepare to begin another season, singers dust off their vocal folds, conductors stretch their arms, and administrators tighten the nuts and bolts of their organizations. It’s like the night before Christmas, except all the creatures are stirring - probably even the mice.

The Master Chorale rides a wave of momentum into the 2025–26 season. As Isaac Newton might say, momentum is always the result of a force—or a series of forces—that sets an object in motion. As I harness my excitement for the year ahead, I can’t help but reflect on the events that contributed to our current pace.

Beyond our local audiences, our Brazilian Cultural Exchange allowed us to showcase Tampa Bay on international stages. In São Paulo, Sorocaba, and Rio de Janeiro, we collaborated with a professional orchestra, a chorus, and a children’s choir. Audiences filled the seats, aisles, and even the space behind the singers. It was a moving reminder of music’s unparalleled unifying power.

Our 2025-26 season offers something for everyone - from video game and film music to some of the most monumental works in the choral-orchestral repertoire. Our new Lifelong Song Initiatives will provide opportunities for singers of all ages to experience the joy and power of choral music. With rehearsals beginning in just nine days, the momentum is palpable.

The Master Chorale is poised for a year of tremendous impact and growth. Whether you join us on stage, in the audience, or a sing-along event, I hope our music finds its way to you this season.

Nate Hettinger
Executive Director
The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay

A singer’s perspective from MCTB’s performance at Catedral de Sé in São Paulo, Brazil.