NEW LOCAL CHOIR TO GIVE PATRIOTIC CONCERT
Paradise Master Chorale
May 3, 2022, VERO BEACH – On Sunday, July 3, 2022, at 7:00pm, A Patriotic Extravaganza will feature the newly formed Paradise Master Chorale, along with the St. John’s Brass Ensemble and performances by Dr. Jacob Craig and Ryan Kasten. The concert will be held at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church at 7590 26th Street in Vero Beach. This event is free to the community; a free-will offering will be accepted.
The Paradise Master Chorale is a joint venture between two local musicians, Ryan Kasten and Dr. Jacob Craig. Ryan and Jacob have a long-standing history and friendship together dating back to 2007, when both were working on their Master’s Degrees in Choral Conducting at Florida State University. Five years after they met, Ryan would play an integral part in encouraging Dr. Craig to apply for and accept his position at First Presbyterian Church in Vero Beach. Both men will be assuming the role of conductor as well as accompanist for the performance, along with giving performances of their own. Rehearsals begin at St. John of the Cross on Sunday, May 15, 2022, from 5:30-7:30pm and all singers are invited to perform. There is no fee to join the group, and no audition required.
Ryan Kasten, Artistic Director, is originally from Jackson, Missouri. Ryan holds the Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance from Southeast Missouri State University, the Master of Music Degree in Organ Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Master of Music Degree in Conducting from the Florida State University, and he is a Candidate for the Doctoral Degree in Organ Performance at the Florida State University. Ryan is truly an accomplished musician, not only as an organist and conductor, but also is a sought-after accompanist and accomplished baritone soloist. Ryan is a member of the Knights of Columbus and is a Fourth Degree Knight. Currently, he is serving as the Program Director for the Knights of Columbus Council at St. John of the Cross. He is also the Artistic Director of the St John’s Brass, the Paradise Master Chorale and Paradise Women’s Chorale which all are resident ensembles of the St John’s Fine Art Series. Ryan is also the Director of Public Affairs and Internal Relations for the Honorable Carole Jean Jordan at the Indian River County Tax Collector’s Office and is the Executive Director of the 501c3 non-profit organization Kid’s Tag Art of Indian River, Inc. (a program of the Indian River County Tax Collector).
Dr. Jacob Craig is the Director of Music and Arts at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach. Jacob received his Bachelor of Music Education and Piano Performance degree from Shorter University in Rome, GA before moving on to Tallahassee, FL to receive his M.M. in Choral Conducting and Literature under Dr. Andre Thomas at Florida State University. As of 2019 Jacob completed his Doctorate of Sacred Music in Performance at the Graduate Theological Foundation and Oxford University. As Director of the Vero Beach Choral Society, ACTS Choristers, Sea Oaks Chorus, John’s Island Singers, and the Silver Tones community choir, Jacob is also a competitive highland Bagpipe player and Pipe Major for the Vero Beach Pipes and Drums.
For more information, please contact Ryan Kasten, Director of Music Ministries, at (772) 584-9744 or kasfsu@gmail.com.
