Robert Weiss is Professor Emeritus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he taught for 29 years, the last 13 of which he was Director of the School of Music. Prior to that he taught in the public schools of Puerto Rico and Quincy, Ill. Bob is currently in his 39th year as Director of Music at First United Methodist Church in Carbondale, Illinois, and remains active as a performing trombonist. He has Bachelors and Masters degrees in music education from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

The Sanctuary Choir provides the primary musical leadership for worship at First United Methodist Church Carbondale. The Choir sings at every 10:45 a.m. service , as well as special services. Membership is open to all adults, high school aged and up.

Pastor Dan Craig has been in Ministry for 47 years and has served for 13 years as Worship Leader of First Baptist Church of Kewanee. He and his wife Karen have three sons and their families including eight grandchildren. Dan and Karen are both graduates of Lincoln Christian University both majoring in Music Performance. The Baptist Church choir, under Dan's direction, ministers regularly to our community through major productions. Dan also Pastor's a small country church at the edge of our community. Dan and Karen will soon be retiring and look forward to spending quality time with their family.

The First Baptist Church of Kewanee Choir has been established since the early 1900's. Our 47 voice choir is an outreach to our community, and we minister by ways of Sunday morning anthems, two large productions for Christmas and Easter and Patriotic and Fall Festival concerts. We participate and sometimes host community worship services throughout the year. We had the pleasure of hosting Mary McDonald at our church in November of 2018 and have enjoyed seeing the impact it had on the choir.

Angela Tsai grew up in Taiwan, and received her master degree in vocal performance at the University of Oregon, Eugene. When she was 12 years old, Angela accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior, submitting herself to Jesus through the healing and transformation of God’s grace. Her personal journey with Jesus allowed her to become a music worship leader. It has been a blessing for her to be the music director at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Camas, Washington, since 2017. As an active accompanist and private music teacher, Angela lives with her beautiful family exploring God’s creation in nature.

St. John’s Presbyterian Church is a historical church established in the community of Camas, Washington in 1883. St. John’s Presbyterian Church Choir has a long and rich tradition of providing quality, scripturally based hymns during each Sunday morning service. The choir does not limit itself to one genre of music, but is open to using a broad range of genres to praise God with different instrumental accompaniments. Over the years, many members of the St. John’s church choir have joined a combined Columbia Chorale for European tours. Pastor Ken Campbell is the current pastor of St. John's Presbyterian church, and the choir, currently under the direction of Angela Tsai, is continuing to grow spiritually and musically in music worship.

Howard's musical studies began at the age of 5 in piano with Margaret Butler. As an advanced student, he studied with Edward (Ted) Maughan and graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto with his ARCT in Piano Performance. Subsequently, he attended the University of Toronto and completed his B.A. and B.Ed. in Special Education and Music. Howard divides his time operating Soundscape Productions and performing at Corporate events, recording his compositions (on Spotify and i-Tunes) and has served as Music and Choir Director at Mayfield since 2008. Mayfield is thrilled to be participating in this very special event!

In 1830 a group of Scottish Presbyterians organized the first congregation of what is now Mayfield United Church. They held services in a log school house at the corner of Mayfield Road and Dixie Road in the hamlet of Mayfield - now called Caledon, (Ontario) which is just north west of Toronto in the "Great White North " (Canada). The present building was erected in 1874 at a total cost of ,860 and seated 225 people. The Mayfield community has a long tradition of music that has continued until the present day. Currently, the choir has 20 dedicated members - largely non-music professionals - who attend weekly practices and services; solely (no pun intended), for the love of singing and the joy of creating music as a community. A sub-group - Spirit - performs more contemporary music for concerts and special services.

Timothy T. Meunier has held the position of Director of Music Ministries at the First United Methodist Church of Jackson, Michigan for the last forty years. His 60 voice Chancel Choir has sung at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Chicago. He is a graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ.

The Chancel Choir of the First United Methodist Church of Jackson, Michigan is the backbone of the wonderful Music Ministry. This hard-working chorus has achieved music through their combined efforts and talents. Such achievements include past performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and in Chicago. They are a powerful voice in worship as they glorify the name of God through weekly services and concerts throughout the year as part of their music ministry.

Cheryl Van Ornam is the Traditional Music Director at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Richmond, Virginia, where she directs choral and handbell ensembles. She is also the Organist at The First Church of Christ Scientist in Richmond, and has an active piano studio. In addition, she serves as adjunct faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she accompanies in the Vocal Department. Her master’s degree in Organ Performance and Church Music is from Northwestern University. Summer Education opportunities have included ACDA conferences, and a Choral Pedagogy class from Westminster Choir College. She has served as the accompanist for the California Boys' Choir, the Chicago Archdiocesan Boychoir "Cantores minores", and the Nairobi Music Society in Nairobi, Kenya. She is also active as a choral accompanist for ensembles in the Richmond area. She has been active with the American Guild of Organists in Chicago, Boston and the Richmond, Virginia Chapter, where she just completed her two-year term as Dean. She and her husband have two married children.

Our choir includes members who have previously sung at Carnegie Hall, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Hollywood Bowl, and internationally.

Charles E. Duke is a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, Texas Christian University with a Master of Music Education degree, and did further studies at the acclaimed Fred Waring School in Pennsylvania. He studied organ at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Texas Wesleyan University and Texas Christian University. He was staff organist for the Radio and Television Choir of the Southern Baptist Convention recording and touring nationally. He founded and was director of Castleberry High School Acappella Choir for forty years, annually produced two Broadway musicals, recorded two albums and made concert tours to forty-three states, Canada, Mexico, the Holy Land and Europe. With the First Christian Church Choir, Charles produces an annual summer musical, Easter and Christmas pageants, and leads the congregation musically in worship with anthems, hymns, cantatas, and oratorios.

Made up of a total of 40 members from many backgrounds, we unite in one voice in worship Sunday mornings. All of us join in joyful ensemble to lead the congregation in praise. And, outside the church, we are in demand to perform sacred and secular programs, far and wide. The choir affords a life of out-flowing expression to many of us. It enriches our existence and adds significance to our lives from week to week.

TAMMARA SHIPES A native of Washington, NJ, coloratura Tammara is a graduate of Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Ga. She earned her Bachelor of Music Degree (2010) and Master of Music Degree (2012), both in Music Performance Vocal Performance. Prior to relocating to Georgia in 2008, Mrs. Housel had a strong musical training background from growing up in the church. Mrs. Shipes began her studies at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, where she joined the world renowned Westminster Concert Handbell Choir, under the direction of Ms. Kathy Ebling-Shaw (2003-2007.) While at Westminster, she had the privilege of performing multiple times at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The Today Show, and toured nationwide with the bell choir. Mrs. Shipes had the great honor of singing at a Master Class with Metropolitan Opera soprano Stella Zambalis and performing a duet with Metropolitan Opera tenor, Stanford Olsen. Throughout her studies, she made her operatic debut as Elmire in Kirke Mechum’s Tartuffe, and performed famous roles such as The Queen of the Night from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Madame Pompous from Edwin Penhorwood’s Too Many Sopranos, and Donna Elvira from Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Mrs. Shipes has taught seminar classes on the technique and playing multiple handbells for the Area 4 (Georgia) Handbell Ringers of America. She is the proud wife of Erik and Mommy of Clara Diane.

Christ United Methodist Church Chancel Choir is made up of members of CUMC Perry UMC and Trinity UMC. The group hosted Pepper Choplin in 2017 and was asked by Pepper to come and sing at Carnegie Hall! They are thrilled to have this opportunity and cannot wait to bring their experience back to Georgia and their congregations.

Jim Sellers is in his 15th year as Director of Worship Arts at Belin Memorial United Methodist Church in Murrells Inlet, SC. His primary duty is overseeing all aspects of music for the church's traditional worship services, including directing and accompanying the Belin Chancel Choir.

Belin Chancel Choir, an 85-voice volunteer ensemble, helps lead worship at traditional services at Belin Memorial United Methodist Church in Murrells Inlet, SC. The choir is honored to call Mary McDonald a friend, having sung with her several times and having been honored by her with a commissioned piece in 2014.

Dr. Jim and Vanessa Rauscher have been Directors of Music for St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral and the Amarillo Diocesan Choir for the past 31 years.  Dr. Rauscher is retired Professor of Piano at Amarillo College, principal keyboardist with The Amarillo Symphony, and serves as organist/pianist at the Cathedral.  Mrs. Rauscher, a professional cantor/singer, directs the choir and coordinates wedding, funeral, and Diocesan liturgies.  The Rauschers led the Amarillo Diocesan Choir in a concert pilgrimage to Italy, including St. Peter’s Basilica, in 2004-2005. They are long-time members of the Amarillo Master Chorale.

St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir will be celebrating its 50th season in 2019-2020.  They lead the singing at the 9:15 liturgy every Sunday morning and at special liturgies throughout the year.  The choir has performed numerous concerts, participated in the city-wide ecumenical Festival of Praise, caroled for community nursing homes, and sang for prisoners at the Clement Unit in Amarillo. Choir members also sing in the Amarillo Catholic Diocesan Choir, and traveled to Rome in 2004-2005, when the Diocesan Choir sang in St. Peter’s Basilica at one of the last masses presided over by now Saint Pope John Paul II.

Barbara Glasgow is the Minister of Music and Senior Adults at Zebulon Baptist Church in Zebulon, North Carolina. She graduated from Campbell University with a degree in Church Music and has worked at Zebulon Baptist Church for 29 years. Barbara enjoys watching all kinds of sporting events, musical theater and her family. Her greatest loves are her husband, children and grandsons. She loves being a grandma!

The Zebulon Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir is made up of more than forty members. They are highly regarded in the Zebulon, NC community for their weekly worship offerings of sacred anthems and their seasonal musical presentations with orchestra.

Pam Leslie has been the Director of Music for the past 12 years since moving from Canada to the "enchanted valley" of the north Georgia mountains. She grew up in Toledo, received her BEd in vocal music from Toledo University and went on to teach music in the public schools for many years. Her love of performing both musical and straight plays led her to incorporate that in what the Sharp choir groups have done over the years. The Sharp Tones, the Sharp Sisters and more perform regularly on top of their Sunday morning mission of aiding in worship.

The Sharp Memorial UMC Choir's mission is to share our love of God and to show that in our musical offerings every Sunday. Today's group is just a part of a larger choir that sings for both services on Sunday morning. Out of this group are many others that perform regularly in the church and the greater community. This group loves to sing and sings from their heart!

Bruce Ewing - A native of Suffern, NY, and graduate of the Hartt School of Music, Bruce came to Las Vegas to appear as Jinx & Sparky in "Forever Plaid" (Singing Jinx in the 15th Anniversary Cast Album) and then performed in "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular" at the Venetian. National tours: "Forever Plaid," "City of Angels," "Grand Hotel" and"Ziegfeld: a Night at the Follies”. Bruce has 4 solo recordings (available at BruceEwing.com) While in Las Vegas, Bruce returned to his love of Choral Music, becoming worship leader & choral director at Community Lutheran Church of Las Vegas.

The Community Lutheran Church Celebration Choir has been leading worship weekly for 45 years in Las Vegas, as well as performing in local events and concerts. Most recently, they have traveled to Germany & the Czech Republic for a “Reformation Celebration Concert Tour”, have appeared in the production of “God Lives In Glass” (a Keith Thompson Musical) at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, was the featured choir for the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the end of WW2, and perform in their annual “Let Heaven & Nature Sing” Concert Event — raising thousands of dollars for local charities!

I joined the staff of Windsor Hills UMC in May, 2004. I work with all ages in choirs and handbells. I am a native of Roanoke, Virginia. I have also served as church musician, recitalist, and accompanist in San Antonio, Texas, State College, Pennsylvania, Knoxville, Tennessee, and Boca Raton, Florida. I have degrees from Carson-Newman University and Hardin-Simmons University in organ performance with post-graduate studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio in choral conducting and harpsichord. Having been involved with church choirs since preschool, it is my privilege to share Christ's love through the power of music.

The Windsor Hills UMC Chancel Choir has been in existence since the church's founding in 1955. It is a faithful, dedicated, group made up of volunteers from the congregation from ages 18 to 80 plus. Besides regular Sunday services, the choir has presented special programs such as "A Tribute to Our World War II Veterans" and Fourth of July celebrations. The choir is very excited to be in NY. Our church has hosted Composer Weekends with Mary McDonald in 2016 and 2018. We invited several neighboring churches and friends to join us in an inspiring celebration of music.

Judith White received a bachelor of science in music education from Capital University Conservatory of Music, Columbus, Ohio. She pursued graduate studies at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio. She taught choral music at Norwood High School for 30 years. Later she became choir director at Zion UCC and has been directing there for 20 years. Judith founded and directed the Norwood Community Chorus for 10 years. For six years she was a member of the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus under the direction of Robert Porko and James Conlin. She was inducted into her high school Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in 2012.

The 18-member Zion United Church of Christ Chancel Choir celebrated the 125th anniversary of Zion Church. The choir has a long history of singing a wide variety of sacred anthems and cantatas, and Pepper Choplin has long been one of their favorite composers. The members participated in the World Choir Games in Cincinnati in 2012 and received a silver award for their performance. Zion UCC Chancel Choir enjoyed participating in the 2017 DCINY Concert at Lincoln Center.

Vanessa Crixell is in her second year directing the choir at Abiding Grace Lutheran. She graduated from Baylor University in 2015 with a degree in Choral Music Education. Before leading the music ministry at Abiding Grace, Vanessa was a high school choir director in Mesquite, TX for 2 years.

Lift Every Voice Choir has been a foundational ministry at Abiding Grace Lutheran since the church formed in 2010. The choir actively leads worship each week as well as participates in musical outreach to nursing homes and the homebound, and provides a musical outlet for people from all backgrounds.

Serving the Music Ministry of Fairfax Baptist Church, Fairfax, VA, for over 30 years, Ms Balis has held positions of: Director of the Cherub, Chapel and Youth Choirs; Interim Adult Choir Director; Children's Choir Director; Church Music Administrative Assistant; Church Music Assistant; and presently the Choir Director of the Chancel Choir and worship service music. Formerly a Music Teacher for the Fairfax County Public Schools, Ms Balis is married to husband John and has two sons Ryan and Dorian.

From Fairfax, VA, the Fairfax Baptist Church Chancel Choir is a devoted group of adult volunteers serving the Fairfax Baptist Church Music Ministry. Rehearsing weekly, the Chancel Choir provides the music leadership for the church's Sunday Morning Worship Service. They are instrumental in leading the congregational singing and in presenting anthems that enhance the worship theme. The Chancel Choir members enjoy a variety of musical genre, with much of their repertoire by Mary McDonald.

Natalia Shevchuk studied under the guidance of Nina Kharchenko (first teacher), Natalia Vitte, Igor Ryabov, Ada Krivosheina, and Iya Tsarevich at Kyiv State Conservatory named after P.A. Tchaikowsky (Ukraine). She was among the winners of Rachmaninoff’s piano competition in Kyiv in 1993. Natalia moved to Conway, New Hampshire (USA) to marry Chris Young. In July 2016 Chris and Natalia relocated to New York State where Natalia took the position of organist and choir director at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Latham, NY. She also accompanies for Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School in Harlemville, NY.

Calvary UMC in Latham, NY, was founded in early 1920's. Since then, its senior choir has been providing a wide variety of sacred music to help lead and support Sunday morning service, as well as community outreach, special events and concerts. Over these years, the choir has been led by music directors Burt Hayes (through mid 1960s), Alton Downer (1965 through mid 1970s), Angela Fitzpatrick (mid 1970s), Floyd Haber (1980s), Claudia Place (23 years), Gioacchino Longobardi and Natalia Shevchuk. Currently, the choir consists of 25 to 30 members, including high school students and adults.

Bob Faber studied Vocal Performance at the University of Idaho in the '70s. During his time at the University of Idaho he participated in multiple performing groups including large choral and vocal jazz ensembles. One highlight through his years of choral experience includes performing at the JFK Center in Washington, DC during the Bicentennial as part of a select 40 voice ensemble from the State of Idaho. Previously, he directed the choir at the Templeton Hills SDA church. He currently is director of the Scott Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church Community Choir in CA and remains passionate about music, choirs, and his experience with Jesus.

The Scott Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church Community Choir under the direction of Bob Faber began in Sept. 2016. Located in the very rural community of Scott Valley, California, the choir is made up of singers from most of the area churches and other members of our community. The 25 - 35 member choir typically performs during the Christmas season and around Easter each year.

Rev. Matt Plunk has served as Worship Pastor at Village Church in Destin, Florida since 2013. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee and a Master of Music from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. He has served churches in Tennessee and Florida for just over 30 years and has been soloist and sung on vocal teams for The Tennessee Men's Chorale and Florida Worship Choir and Orchestra.

Village Choir is the worship-leading choir for Village Baptist Church in Destin, Florida. They sing two to five concerts in house annually and in conjunction with multi-church events in the greater Walton and Okaloosa County region.

Mark has served as the Director of Music and Fine Arts at Manchaca United Methodist Church for 17 years. Mark oversees all music, theater and art activities. Mark co-directs the Children's Choir and directs the Sanctuary Choir and the Glory Bells Handbell Choir. Mark currently serves as an officer for the Rio Texas Conference Chapter of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts.

The Sanctuary Choir serves as the principle choral ensemble for the 11 a.m. traditional services at Manchaca UMC. Their repertoire includes major works by Faure, Rutter, and Dubois, along with more contemporary composers such as Joseph Martin, Mary McDonald and Bradley Ellingboe.