THE JACKSONVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
CHORUS

BRENDA B. MCNEILAND
Chorus Manager
brenda.mcneiland@jaxsymphonychorus.org

A remarkably versatile musician, Brenda McNeiland has distinguished herself in an extensive variety of experiences. She received her musical education at the University of Illinois, from which she holds the B.S. in Music Education, the B. Mus. And the M. Music degrees. She has served as principal bassoonist of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and the Amarillo Symphony. As adjunct faculty at Jacksonville University for twenty-five years, she taught applied bassoon, music theory, twentieth century music history, and conducted the Jacksonville University Concert Choir.

Her occasional singing group, The Solano Singers, has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra in Daytona Beach and on numerous occasions as a part of The Delius Association of Florida’s annual Delius Festival.She is Manager of the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus, a position she has held since its inception in 1985. She trained the Chorus for Holiday Pops with Skitch Henderson, for Messiah directed by Catherine Comet, and the women of JSC for performances of The Planets, Charles Colomer, conductor.Since 1987, Ms. McNeiland has served as Organist/Director at All Saints Episcopal Church. In this capacity, she was invited to direct the combined choirs of Hendricks Avenue Baptist and All Saints Episcopal Choirs in performances of Fauré’s Requiem in 2001 and Requiem by John Rutter in 2002. The All Saints Choir recently gave the Florida premiere of The Company of Heaven by Benjamin Britten.

ILEANA FERNANDEZ,
Principal Accompanist
ifernand@jaxsymphonychorus.org

Ileana Fernandez began her study of piano at age 11, after coming to the United States from her native Cuba. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts from Jacksonville University, and a Master of Music in piano performance from Florida State University. She also earned a Master of Arts in Spanish from Middlebury College in Vermont.  In 1979 Ms. Fernandez joined the faculty of the Florida Community College at Jacksonville and the roster of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.  Ms. Fernandez teaches piano, music theory at FCCJ.  She is a noted recitalist and accompanist, and in her capacity as principal keyboardist for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, she has collaborated with many guest artists.  Ms. Fernandez is also the rehearsal pianist for the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus.  On various occasions, Ms. Fernandez has been a featured performer with the JSO, including Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy for piano, orchestra, chorus and soloists.  Ms. Fernandez also enjoys the more personal, intimate performance of chamber music and she gives recitals frequently in the Jacksonville area.