Since the 1970s, downtown Wilmington has been enlivened by the great variety of music now presented by Market Street Music. MSM brings audiences the eclectic Thursday Noontime Concerts – a free series – as well as riveting classical full-length concerts in the evening.
It also supports two choral organizations – Mastersingers of Wilmington and Center City Chorale. Concerts are presented in the historic and beautiful First & Central Presbyterian Church, or at Old Town Hall of the Delaware History Museum. Both locations are on Market Street in Wilmington.
Music is important to the life of every community and MSM is committed to remaining accessible to all audiences and to supporting artists of all ages and abilities. We offer a wide range of short and full-length concerts on a varied schedule, as well as providing opportunities for choral and solo singers at all levels of musical accomplishment.
Throughout its history, the organization has also created pathways for young and emerging musicians and composers from throughout the region and the state.
Emily Ballentine Erb is an accomplished musician and educator specializing in keyboard and choral performance. She recently graduated with a Master of Music in Organ Performance and Sacred Music from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, in the studio of Janette Fishell. Emily previously earned her Master of Arts in Music Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College; over the course of her teaching career, Emily taught classes in general music, chorus, band, and handbells to students in PreK through 12th grade in New York and Pennsylvania, and taught piano classes for undergraduates at Indiana University. Before her time at IU, Emily studied piano performance with Eric Ruple and Gabriel Dobner at James Madison University and was an active collaborative pianist during her term of study. She has studied conducting with Walter Huff and sung in choirs under the direction of Dominic DiOrio, Mitos Andaya Hart, Paul Rardin, and Alan Harler. She has performed in master classes with John-Paul Sevilla, Damin Spritzer, and Emile Naoumoff. Emily has also been active as music and vocal director for several music theatre organizations, and has accompanied Grammy-winning choral ensemble NOTUS and Tony winner Rupert Holmes in performance. 
Jordan Barrett is a professional musician and arts administrator based in Wilmington, Delaware. Primarily an ensemble singer, he appears regularly in professional groups throughout the Northeast such as Mastersingers of Wilmington, Dualis (Baltimore), the Bard Festival Chorale, New York Virtuoso Singers, and the Princeton Singers. His light lyric baritone voice is sought after for its bright, clean tone, clear intonation, broad range, and ability to blend easily. He is equally at home in styles from Renaissance polyphony to modern avant-garde music and is especially valued in small chamber ensembles.Meet the dedicated individuals guiding the vision and direction of Market Street Music.
Market Street Music proudly showcases a rich tapestry of ensembles, each bringing their unique flavor to the heart of Wilmington's music scene.
Mastersingers of Wilmington continues to make a memorable impact on lovers of fine choral singing in the region. In each of its nine seasons, Mastersingers has consistently thrilled audiences with its beautifully blended sound, remarkable well-tuned singing, and insightful and exciting performances. One of the choirs sponsored by Market Street Music, the auditioned ensemble is made up of the finest professional and amateur singers in the mid-Atlantic region.
Mastersingers explores classics of the choral repertoire, along with music that is delightfully new and sounds of cultures around the world. Its repertoire spans the gamut of choral music and includes music of the Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic, and Contemporary periods. Its riveting concerts include music of such great composers as Poulenc, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Bach, Schütz, and Victoria. In its 2015-16 season the ensemble made its Delaware Symphony debut singing the Mozart Requiem, for which the press called the choir’s singing “stirring … incisive” and noted that it “sang with force and assurance.”
The ensemble has also made a specialty of singing newer music, with performances of such distinguished contemporary composers as Arvo Pärt, Benjamin Britten, Gabriel Jackson, Jonathan Dove, William Schuman, and Alice Parker. Mastersingers has performed premieres by James Bassi and Bruce Neswick, as well as compositions written for the ensemble by its conductor David Schelat.
Mastersingers of Wilmington is always auditioning new amateur singers for Delaware’s premier vocal ensemble. If you are passionate about singing and can sight-sing well, please consider joining this ensemble of voices. There are occasional openings for all voice parts.
While most of our amateur singers have studied voice or sang in college, they come from all walks of life, professions, ages, and cultural backgrounds. Our rehearsal process is just as much fun as concert performances.
To arrange an audition, email conductor Emily Ballentine Erb at emily@marketstreetmusicde.org to arrange an appointment. Audition dates may be arranged as needed.
Attached are excerpts of two pieces to prepare for this audition. Please prepare your own voice part. Additionally, the audition will consist of vocalizing to explore your vocal range and just a bit of sight singing.
Formed in 2021 by members of the Pyxis Piano Quartet, the Pyxis Piano Trio continues to perform chamber music works from the sonata, duo, and trio repertoire. Founded in 2009, the Quartet had become a vibrant presence in the mid-Atlantic region, known for compelling, engaging, and informative performances. Music critic Christine Facciolo writes that "balance, superb intonation and sensitive interpretation characterized [their] performance."
Founded over 45 years ago – is Wilmington’s favorite “downtown choir,” rehearsing on Tuesdays at noontime and performing during Market Street Music’s Thursday Noontime Concerts. There is no fee required to join or participate in this ensemble, and no audition is required. The Chorale is drawn primarily from enthusiastic and hard-working amateur singers who work in downtown Wilmington, and provides a musical outlet for these people as well as significant musical education. Contact conductor Emily Ballentine Erb (emily@marketstreetmusicde.org) if you’d like to sing with this ensemble.
We hope you will consider joining the Friends of Market Street Music and making a donation. Market Street Music, Inc., is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. All donations may be fully tax-deductible.
Market Street Music, enriching downtown Wilmington since the 1970s, offers a diverse and affordable array of concerts, featuring Thursday Noontime samplers, weekend Festival Concerts, and performances by its vocal ensembles, Mastersingers of Wilmington and Center City Chorale.
This organization is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com.