Welcome to Josh Barbour, Interim Choir Director

We are pleased to announce that Josh Barbour, frequent guest pianist at our congregation, has accepted the position of Interim Choir Director.  Josh will begin his time with us on June 2nd through December 1st.  During this interim transition, Josh has agreed to play for each of our services as well as direct the choir twice a month (with the exception of July when they are traditionally off).  In addition, Josh will assist our Salisbury musicians with music selections for their services.

A North Carolina native, pianist Josh Barbour joins us with an expanse of experience as a vocal coach, teacher, music director and pianist. Josh joined the staff of Opera Carolina as répétiteur in 2011 under the baton of Maestro James Meena. An active recitalist and vocal coach, he has performed and taught throughout the region. He is currently staff pianist at Wingate University but has also performed and taught at Johnson C. Smith University and Queens University. Josh was the official pianist for the 2014 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (NC District) and also accompanied the Heafner/Williams Vocal Competition and the Charlotte Opera Guild Competitions in March.

Josh joined Opera Experience Southeast, a summer program started by Metropolitan Opera tenor John Fowler, in 2012 as pianist and vocal coach. Josh was also the music director and coach for the Opera Carolina Express outreach program last season, and he has performed and coached with FBN Outreach Opera and Palmetto Opera, both based in South Carolina. Josh also accompanies the vocal studios of international opera singers Victoria Livengood and Rosemarie Freni-Molinari.
Josh holds a Master of Music from The University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Music from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His teachers have included Lynn Kompass, Scott Price, and Joseph DiPiazza.
A huge foodie, Josh enjoys cooking and trying new international cuisines. He also loves traveling, shopping and just relaxing by the pool.

We hope you’ll be able to welcome him as he joins us this summer.