About Us
The Orange Blossom Chorus is an inclusive organization comprised of men and women of various ages, backgrounds and musical interests. We perform a broad range of musical styles and celebrate what we all have in common: Our love of singing!
Our Directors
Sean Christopher Stork, Director
A professional lyric baritone, Sean is a recording artist and performer with opera companies and symphonic orchestras around the country. He graduated from Florida State University in 2007 with a degree in Vocal Performance. In addition to performing and directing, Sean is a highly-regarded composer, arranger and music educator.
Sean has been an active member of the Barbershop Harmony Society for almost twenty years. In that capacity he has sung with award-winning quartets and served as director of five choruses. In 2017 he was awarded the prestigious Barbershopper of the Year award for his extensive work with the Sunshine District.
Matthew Boutwell, Assistant Director
Having studied Vocal Performance at the University of Central Florida, Matthew contributes to OBC as both a performer and a director. In addition to his ten years of directing experience with OBC, Matthew sings bass in the Sunshine District champion quartet Bourbon Brothers and is an international silver medalist with the Heralds of Harmony chorus in Tampa.
Our Members
Most of our singers are amateurs from a variety of backgrounds and with varied degrees of musical experience. Some of us have publicly performed opera, musicals, madrigals and Christmas carols, while others rarely sang outside their showers prior to joining OBC. We value every one of our members and believe that each voice makes a vital contribution to OBC’s unique sound. (Note: The ability to read music is a plus, but not a requirement, for singing with OBC. All of our arrangements are maintained on a drive that members can access and there are learning tracks posted for each voice part.)
Our Activities
Orange Blossom Chorus performs throughout Central Florida, often in support of community organizations such as the Walk for Autism Awareness, Christmas in the City and Children’s Miracle Network. We sing the National Anthem for patriotic commemorations and sporting events. Twice a year, OBC competes with other Florida choruses for the state barbershop championship, winning our seventh title in 2023. In June 2024, OBC was one of three choruses in Central Florida to perform in the “United Voices” show at Rollins College’s John M. Tiedke Concert Hall. In celebration of our 75th anniversary, OBC has recorded an album which will be released in 2025. The chorus also has a number of quartets who perform in competitions and at community events.
Barbershop Harmony Society
The Barbershop Harmony Society, formed in 1938 as “Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America,” now includes men and women of all ages and backgrounds. BHS is organized into local districts that hold regional conventions and contests. OBC is a member of the Sunshine District which encompasses the state of Florida. Although we encourage members to join BHS, nonmembers are welcome to sing with us in rehearsals and community performances.
