Josh Overby
Born in NYC and raised in Charleston, SC, Joshua Overby is a conductor, vocalist, and instrumentalist that has been performing professionally for over a decade. He currently serves as the director of music at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lady’s Island, SC and as the associate conductor of the nationally recognized Taylor Festival Choir (TFC). As a tenor, Joshua enjoys a varied choral and solo career. In addition to the TFC, he’s also made appearances with Greenville SC’s Chicora Voices, Charleston Opera Theatre, and Tennessee’s Franklin Chamber Choir.
An avid liturgical musician, Josh sings at numerous churches in the “Holy City” and has enjoyed taking the plunge into early music, especially Gregorian chant and renaissance polyphony. He has also been featured with Charleston’s Spartina Consort in the Early Music Series of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival as a tenor soloist and on bass viola da gamba.
Joshua holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a vocal performance concentration from the College of Charleston where he also studied choral conducting under Dr. Robert Taylor and William Bennett.
Where did you do your musical training?
I have a BA in Music from the College of Charleston where I also studied choral conducting with Rob.
When did you first start performing with the TFC?
My first performance was in Fall 2012. Hard to believe it’s almost been 13 years!
What is your all-time favorite choral work?
At this moment it’s between Buxtehude’s “Membra Jesu Nostri”, Charpentier’s “Litanies de la Vierge”, or J.S. Bach’s cantata “Gottes Zeit ist die alle beste Zeit.” Those are definitely subject to change though. Haha
Where do you live now? And where do you call “home”?
I live in Charleston, SC. My heart will always call NYC home, though.
What is your favorite hobby outside of music?
I love video games and anime/manga. Also a very big chess fan!
Who is your favorite singer?
Lucile Richardot, Barbara Bonney, and Ian Bostridge to name a few!
Who is your favorite actor?
Denzel Washington
Favorite movie or play?
Movie-American Gangster
Play-A Christmas Story
What is your favorite meal?
A nice turkey and cheese sandwich with classic lays and a sweet drink!
Who is your favorite sports team?
I’m a NY Knickerbocker at heart, but I’ve loved watching LeBron James play since I was a wee lad!
Do you have a favorite TFC or “singing with Rob” anecdote?
One of the coolest moments of my musical life was going out to a restaurant after our Regional ACDA performance in Louisville. There was a children’s choir there and we all joined together and sang the roof off that place! It was awesome to see (and hear!) that the future of choral music is in good hands!
