Joseph D. Judge, Director
Joseph Judge joined the PCS in September of 2013. He is Director of Choral and Vocal Music and Assistant Professor of music at Pfeiffer University and has performed numerous operatic and musical theater roles, Oratorio concerts, and recitals in the United States and Europe. Credits include Bye, Bye Birdie, West Side Story, Madama Butterfly, Amahl and the Night Visitor, La Boheme, Cosi fan Tutte, Street Scene, Hansel and Gretel, The Gypsy Baron, L’Egisto, Gianni Schicchi, The Fantasticks!. Mr. Judge has performed with Opera Carolina, The Charlotte Symphony, The Charlotte Philharmonic, Colorado Lyric Opera, and Colorado Lyric Theater Festival, The Boulder Philharmonic, The Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, and The Union Symphony.
In addition to singing, Judge is in demand as an Adjudicator, Guest Conductor and Clinician. Mr. Judge has conducted major choral works, operas and musicals, including J.S. Bach's Magnificant, Handel's Messiah, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Mozart’s Requiem, Brahms’ Requiem, Puccini’s La Boheme, Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific, The Sound of Music and Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man. He has served as the Musical/Artistic Director for the Charlotte Chorale and the Stanly County Chorale.
Prior to his appointment at Pfeiffer, Judge served for nearly a decade as Director of Music and Worship Arts Ministries at Matthews United Methodist Church where he supervised a five member music staff and was responsible for the musical direction numerous ensembles.
Mr. Judge received a B.A. in Music Education from Pfeiffer University, where he studied voice and conducting with Dr. Richard Brewer and his M.M. from the University of Colorado, under the tutelage of the late Dr. Barbara Doscher. An active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and a respected teacher, Judge maintains a private voice studio in Charlotte area. He has taught for the University of Kentucky at Lexington (Graduate Assistant) and served as a master clinician for the Charlotte Mecklenburg High Schools, presenting master classes in vocal technique, vocal diction and interpretation. His students perform in concerts, operas and musical theater productions throughout the United States and abroad.
In addition to singing, Judge is in demand as an Adjudicator, Guest Conductor and Clinician. Mr. Judge has conducted major choral works, operas and musicals, including J.S. Bach's Magnificant, Handel's Messiah, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Mozart’s Requiem, Brahms’ Requiem, Puccini’s La Boheme, Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific, The Sound of Music and Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man. He has served as the Musical/Artistic Director for the Charlotte Chorale and the Stanly County Chorale.
Prior to his appointment at Pfeiffer, Judge served for nearly a decade as Director of Music and Worship Arts Ministries at Matthews United Methodist Church where he supervised a five member music staff and was responsible for the musical direction numerous ensembles.
Mr. Judge received a B.A. in Music Education from Pfeiffer University, where he studied voice and conducting with Dr. Richard Brewer and his M.M. from the University of Colorado, under the tutelage of the late Dr. Barbara Doscher. An active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and a respected teacher, Judge maintains a private voice studio in Charlotte area. He has taught for the University of Kentucky at Lexington (Graduate Assistant) and served as a master clinician for the Charlotte Mecklenburg High Schools, presenting master classes in vocal technique, vocal diction and interpretation. His students perform in concerts, operas and musical theater productions throughout the United States and abroad.
Susan Renz, Accompanist
Susan Renz joined the Piedmont Choral Society in August 2024 for our Christmas concerts. She has devoted her life to music, beginning her formal piano training at the Eastman School of Music. Ms. Renz was a Raymond Wilson Scholarship recipient and excelled in her studies, graduating with honors.
She pursued higher education in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, which complemented her musical talents. Post-college, she served as an Organist and Music Associate at various churches along the East Coast. Her choral accompanying experience includes trips to Italy with Collegium of the Taft School and work with children's choirs like Sing Out CT! and Young Voices of the Carolina.
Ms. Renz has also collaborated with the Waterbury Symphony, Opera Carolina Express, and numerous Honors Choirs. Currently, she is part of the staff at Central United Methodist Church in Concord, where she plays the organ and piano. She was instrumental in installing the Quimby Pipe Organ in 2017 and has led children's choirs and Music Camp, recently establishing a Young Chimers/Handbell program.
Ms. Renz's dedication and talent make her a valuable asset to the musical community, inspiring those around her with her passion and expertise. Piedmont Choral Society is grateful her wonderful talent is part of our organization.
She pursued higher education in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, which complemented her musical talents. Post-college, she served as an Organist and Music Associate at various churches along the East Coast. Her choral accompanying experience includes trips to Italy with Collegium of the Taft School and work with children's choirs like Sing Out CT! and Young Voices of the Carolina.
Ms. Renz has also collaborated with the Waterbury Symphony, Opera Carolina Express, and numerous Honors Choirs. Currently, she is part of the staff at Central United Methodist Church in Concord, where she plays the organ and piano. She was instrumental in installing the Quimby Pipe Organ in 2017 and has led children's choirs and Music Camp, recently establishing a Young Chimers/Handbell program.
Ms. Renz's dedication and talent make her a valuable asset to the musical community, inspiring those around her with her passion and expertise. Piedmont Choral Society is grateful her wonderful talent is part of our organization.
Officers
|
|
Kay Yates, President
Tommy Aldridge, Vice President/Treasurer Juli Dwiggins, Secretary Brenda Shaver, Music Librarian Cathy Lynch, Alto Section Leader Valerie Frank, Soprano Section Leader Gail Williams, Tenor and Bass Section Leader Jim Griffith, Past Co-President Edwin Shaver, Community Liaison |
