West Palm Beach, Fla (May 9, 2025) — Masterworks Chorus of the Palm Beaches has chosen Dr. Bryan Ijames as its next artistic director. He comes as Masterworks’ Ken Taylor concludes his time as artistic director at the end of the 2024-2025 musical season.
Ijames (pronounced eye-ems) has over 16 years of professional experience in choral music and conducting. Under his direction, Masterworks Chorus will strengthen its ability to performmore complex masterpieces and reach a larger audience. Ijames also plans to establish a choral scholars program, enabling more vocal students to sing with Masterworks.
“We are delighted to have found a person with exceptional training and a passion for conducting choral masterpieces to lead Masterworks Chorus,” said Katherine Combs, president. “Dr. Ijames’ dedication and experience ushers in an exciting new chapter for our organization.”
About Dr. Ijames
Ijames is assistant professor of music education and associate professor of choral activities at the Florida Gulf Coast University Bower School of Music and the Arts in Fort Myers, Fla. He has a doctor of musical arts (DMA) in conducting from the University of Michigan, a master of music in choral education from Mississippi State University, and a master of music in choral conducting from Eastern Kentucky University.
During his doctoral studies, Ijames worked to revive British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s “The Atonement.” Until Ijames’ research, this sacred cantata was largely untouched for over 100 years.
No stranger to Palm Beach County, Ijames was a performing member and assistant conductor of the Ebony Chorale of the Palm Beaches under the artistic leadership of Dr. Orville Lawton, from 2017 to 2020. Additionally, he performed with Espressivo, a semi-professional vocal ensemble in Lake Worth, under the direction of Dr. John Weatherspoon. He also held two chorister positions at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach and St. Gregory Episcopal Church in Boca Raton. Between 2015 and 2020 he served as director of choral activities at Park Vista Community High School in Lake Worth. He frequently performs as a professional tenor, and has also served as a voice faculty member of Berkshire Choral International in Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
A New Era
Ijames comes aboard as Ken Taylor, who served as Masterworks’ artistic director for the last 15 years, finishes his service to the organization this May. Taylor is director of choral studies at Dreyfoos School of the Arts and is the 2023 recipient of Palm Beach Symphony’s Randolf A. Frank Prize in the category of Performing Arts Educator. Under his leadership, Masterworks performed many masterpieces of the choral repertoire, including Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony” with the Palm Beach Symphony and Brahms’ “German Requiem” in Carnegie Hall.
Masterworks Chorus has also appointed the highly acclaimed organist, Adam J. Brakel, as its new accompanist. Brakel, who is regarded as “one of the most talented organists in the world” by the Chicago Tribune, is director of music and organist at Royal Poinciana Chapel in Palm Beach.
Masterworks will host a special reception at the Royal Poinciana Chapel on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 9 p.m.—giving community members the opportunity to thank Taylor for his longtime service and meet Ijames. The reception follows Masterworks’ final concert of the season, “An American Songbook Review,” featuring many talented local jazz musicians including Annie Matot, soprano, Janis McDavid, soprano, Kay Purin, soprano, and Mickey Smith, Jr. on saxophone.
Please visit masterworkspb.org for additional information about the concert or to purchase tickets.
If you go (Calendar Item)
Who: Masterworks Chorus of the Palm Beaches
What: Celebratory Reception for Mr. Ken Taylor and Dr. Bryan Ijames
When: Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 9 p.m.
Where: Royal Poinciana Chapel (60 Cocoanut Row, Palm Beach, Fla., 33480)
Details: The reception is free to $250 sponsors and Chorus members. Visit masterworkspb.org for more information or to purchase tickets to “An American Songbook Review.”
###
About Masterworks Chorus of the Palm Beaches
The Masterworks Chorus was founded by Dr. Jack W. Jones in 1979 as a community chorus, dedicated to bringing audiences quality, classic and inspirational choral music. The organization’s repertoire is carefully selected to educate, enrich and inspire members and audiences through performances of great choral masterworks. Masterworks’ hope is that new generations will discover and embrace the life-changing music that has moved so many in the past, and grow to enjoy and perpetuate this music long into the future. To learn more, visit masterworkspb.org.
