The Inland Master Chorale brings together more than seventy talented vocalists from throughout the Inland Empire. First formed in March 1980, the chorale has since provided exciting, quality musical experiences for audiences in the Inland Empire, California, Washington, England, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Founding Director Roger W. Duffer led the group for 37 years. Under Maestro Duffer’s direction, the chorale has won awards, critical acclaim, gained national and international recognition. In 2017, Dr. Joseph Modica was selected to carry on the tradition which has established the Chorale as one of the most accomplished choral groups in Southern California.
The Inland Master Chorale is a division of Inland Chorale Music Education, Inc., a 501(c)3 educational, non-profit corporation.
Dr. Joseph Modica, Artistic Director
Dr. Joseph Modica is Interim Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Director of the School of Music at the University of Redlands and Music Director at the First Presbyterian Church of Redlands. Modica earned his Bachelor of Music degree in conducting at Chapman University, a Master of Music degree at California State University Long Beach, and Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Music at the University of Southern California. He served on the faculties of the University of South Carolina and Chapman University, and taught at Redlands East Valley and Mater Dei High Schools. Modica is the Conductor of the Festival Choir at the Idyllwild Summer Arts Camp. In 2017, he conducted concerts across the United States for the Il Volo: Notte Magica Tour. He attended Redlands High School, where he was a choir student of the Chorale’s founding Director Roger Duffer.
Anna De Leon, Assistant Conductor
Mrs. Anna Maria De Leon is Director of Choirs at Grand Terrace High School in Grand Terrace, CA. She also teaches music history, directs musicals, and advises a Latin dance group. Previously, she directed high school and 5th-8th grade choirs at the Crystal Cathedral Schools for the Arts in Garden Grove, CA. These choirs regularly performed for the internationally televised “Hour of Power” with Reverends Robert and Bobby Schuller. De Leon earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Choral/Vocal Music and Classical Voice at California State University Long Beach. She studied conducting with Jonathan Talberg and has studied voice with Marian Bodner, Christine Helferich Güter, and Patricia Gee. She also taught at the Long Lake Camp for the Arts in Long Lake, NY. De Leon is a soprano in the Chorale and was selected to be Assistant Conductor in 2017.
Sophie Tait, Accompanist
Sophie Tait performs regularly throughout the Inland Empire as a solo pianist, organist, and collaborative musician. She attended the University of Redlands from 2010-2016, where she completed her undergraduate and graduate studies under the tutelage of Louanne Long. Ms. Tait has been a prizewinner in several competitions, including the University of Redlands Concerto Competition in 2015. As a result, she appeared as soloist with the Redlands Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Tait maintains a private piano studio in Redlands and is on the faculty of the Redlands Summer Piano Camp. She is currently the pianist and organist at St. Christopher Catholic Church in Moreno Valley. She was selected to be the Chorale’s Accompanist in 2016.
Board of Directors
President John Biddick
VP — Membership & Human Resources Kim Biddick
VP — Operations Scott MacDonald
VP — Programing & Arts Douglas Newton
VP — Promotional Services Wendy Williams
Secretary Donna Barnes
Treasurer Debbie Kamrani
Past President Mac Barnes
At Large Members
Bethany Encina Elizabeth McCrary Brenda Olson Rick Wood Debbie Biddick Roger Biddick Evan Christopherson Irmengard Jennings George Petite Rhonda Bauer Robert Reid Ernest Ott
