A Winter Rose: The Holiday Music of Martin & Hayes

Joni Bedard has been the Director of Music Ministries at First United Methodist Church of Marble Falls for 20 years. She directs Children, Youth and Adult Choirs as well as Handbell choirs and small ensembles. Joni Studied voice and piano at The University of Nebraska and completed her Music Ministry Certification for the United Methodist Church at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, TX.

The 40 voice Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church leads traditional worship each Sunday and presents two or three Musical Cantatas to the community each year. They enjoy a diverse selection of anthems and love to bring in composers as Joseph Martin, Bruce Greer, Joel Raney and more, for special weekend retreats.

Pamela Bazinet has been directing the St. Thomas United Church Adult Choir in Calgary, Alberta since 2003. Previous to directing, she was a member of that choir. Her musical interests also include directing school choirs, playing the violin, both in orchestral and fiddle settings, teaching ukulele skills to school children and adults, playing with a community ukulele group, and singing in Bach, bluegrass, and folk groups.

The St. Thomas United Church Adult Choir is an active group with approximately 45 members who provide anthems and/or hymn support every week for our church services. We meet once a week for rehearsal. Some of the other events that we participate in during the year include the annual 12th Night service with other churches in the north-west area, our annual "choir advance" previous to our fall start-up , the annual Octoberfest party, the bi-annual themed show and more.

Lepha Luttrall is a native of east Texas and received her Bachelor's degree in 1989 from Texas A&M, Commerce, Texas. While always having been a singer, she now finds herself as Director of the First United Methodist Church Choir in Quitman, Texas. She started this position in September of 2017. This has been an exciting time preparing the FUMC choir to come and sing at Carnegie Hall, for many, it will be a first time to visit New York. When not directing, Lepha and her husband, Jim, enjoy playing a round of golf each week.

The First United Methodist Choir helps to lead in worship on a weekly basis. The members come from a variety of backgrounds, from retired pastors & teachers to healthcare professionals. They also provide special music programs to the community during Christmas and Easter, as well as other holidays and special events specific to our hometown.

Shayla is a long time choir director. She studied (RCM University of Toronto) and taught piano, voice and guitar. Retired from teaching she concentrates her talents on directing.and composing. As a composer of choral/choir music, many of her works have been performed by numerous choirs throughout Canada. One of Shayla's compositions from her Christmas Cantata was performed in concert "Fanfare of Canadian Hymns & The Great Canadian Hymn Competition" October/09, in which she placed 4th. Shayla remains close to her Finnish heritage and is part of the world renowned Finnish composer Uuno Klaami family. Shayla and her husband reside in Penticton, BC, Canada.

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Choir has been in existence for nearly 50 years. As most choirs, they rehearse every Thursday evening. The men and women of this choir are individually talented but have come to earn recognition as an accomplished choral entity. Each Sunday for the past 7 years they have offered an anthem which is recorded by their director and uploaded to youtube. At Christmas time, Our Redeemer Choir performs a spectacular Choral service. In late May they hold an evening concert followed by a "Strawberry Social" which has become very popular and well received in the beautiful Okanagan Valley of British Columbia.

Lois Shaw is the Choir and Theater Teacher at Westminster Christian School in Elgin, IL. Originally from Vermont, Shaw moved to Chicago to study Music Education and Voice at Wheaton College, where she served as Honors Conductor for the Women’s Chorale. Prior to Wheaton, Shaw studied Theater Performance at Addison Repertory Theater in Vermont. In her spare time, Shaw vocal-directs and choreographs musicals, leads worship at her church, enjoys hiking and is recording her first vocal-jazz album in Chicago. In 2017, she married her college sweetheart, Mike, and they now live in Geneva, IL with their dog, Macy. Ephesians 3:20

The Westminster Christian High School Choir, directed by Lois Shaw, is an ensemble dedicated to musical excellence for the glory of God. It provides students with the unique opportunity to explore music through diverse repertoire, as students learn theory, history, professionalism and vocal-health. Outside of school-sanctioned performances, the choir sings regularly at assisted living facilities, attends workshops at Chicagoland universities. Additionally, its members are encouraged to compete in district choral competitions. Westminster Christian School’s goal is to inspire students to discover God as they develop their unique gifts and display Christ confidently in their lives.

Keith Walker is a native of Dalton, Georgia and attended VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois where he studied Voice and Music Education. A true performer with many credits to his name including singing the National Anthem at several MLB games and numerous outstanding roles in a variety of local theater companies' musical productions. Keith has been the Worship Music and Choir Director for Saint Elmo UMC in Chattanooga, TN since 2014 and is beyond thrilled to prepare his choir for this once in a lifetime performance at Carnegie Hall.

With nearly a century of history, the Saint Elmo UMC Worship Choir in Chattanooga, TN supports the whole worship experience in a variety of styles including traditional hymns, contemporary anthems, Southern Gospel, Praise and Worship and more. The 20 member ensemble contributes their talents regularly with an excitement and passion that will have you singing, clapping and praising along during the blended service on Sunday mornings. In addition to assisting worship, the SEUMC Worship Choir presents two Musical Cantatas a year for the greater Chattanooga area with most recent performances of Joseph M. Martin's "Canticles in Candlelight" and Pepper Choplin's "Come to the Cross and Remember".

Director of Music FUMC Uvalde, TX 22 years. Associate in Music The United Methodist Church, Perkins School of Theology, SMU. Have accompanied the choir to Carnegie Hall in 2016 & 2017.

35 member adult choir who provides music at two traditional worship services each Sunday. Share Easter & Christmas musicals with the community each year. The choir is the core group for the special community services.

Marcus Vaughan has served as the Minister of Music at Beale Memorial Baptist Church in Tappahannock, VA since 2013. He is a graduate of Bluefield College in Bluefield, VA where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Music. This will be Marcus’ third performance at Carnegie Hall. Marcus and wife Gina have two amazing children a son, William and a daughter, Libby Caroline.

Beale Memorial Choir is comprised of 15-30 voices. We sing on Sunday mornings for worship. We sing various styles of choral arrangements and perform two concerts a year. This is Beale Memorial's Choir debut at Carnegie Hall.

Tanya has served as the Minister of Music and Worship at McEachern UMC for 27 years. She oversees the music program including ensembles and special events. Her extensive background in conducting and creative worship planning has made her a sought-after clinician and consultant at churches around the Southeast. Tanya is married to Abol Ghoreishi and together they have one son, Jordan. Tanya and Abol love to travel and are looking forward to their first trip to NYC. The best thing is to experience this with the choir and friends. They are looking forward to making memories.

The McEachern UMC Sanctuary Choir is made up of 90+ singers who provide music weekly in the sanctuary services. They offer several special programs throughout the year... including Christmas and Easter concerts. They are an eclectic group of people that enjoy the multi-generational fellowship and service. This choir is active in music beyond the walls of the church....to community events and service. They have been active in the needs of foster care, homeless, school needs and mentoring and many other important needs. There are many ensembles and small groups within the choir as well as accomplished instrumentalists. They love "doing life" together and are looking forward to joining others in this great concert.

Kelly is originally from Sumter, SC. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Furman University, Greenville, SC, followed by a Master of Church Music from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY. After serving as a hospital chaplain for 1.5 years, she became the Minister of Music and Education at Spencer Baptist in Spindale, NC where she has served for the past twenty years. Kelly is married to Greg, and they have two children, Josh (a high school chorus teacher) and Connor (a high school student). Kelly is also currently enrolled at Gardner Webb School of Divinity, working towards a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counseling.

The Spencer Baptist Adult Choir has a long tradition of excellence. In addition to leading in worship each week, the ensemble presents two to three major works each year. The Adult Choir has been a part of the Rutherford County Chorus in previous years with many members singing in both ensembles. The Adult Choir is one of 5 music ensembles at Spencer Church and most of its members have been singing together for 40 years.

Noreen has directed the Unity Singers for 35 years, and many of the singers have been a part of this group for 20-30 years. Noreen considers it an honor and a privilege to make music with this joyful, enthusiastic group of singers.

The Unity Singers present three concerts each year in addition to providing music for Sunday services. In the spring there is a classical music concert with strings; in the summer a 4th of July extravaganza with pop tunes and a salute to our veterans; and a Christmas cantata is given each December. These programs are then performed at senior residential centers in the community. The choir's home is Unity of Santa Barbara, under the spiritual leadership of Rev. Larry Schelink.

LuAnne Spencer is the director of music for New Life Lutheran Church. My love of music began as child and was encouraged by my family. I began my studies in organ at the age of 4 and continued on to become an accomplished pipe organist, pianist, and vocalist. I give thanks to God and credit the wonderful people I have had the privilege to work & teach with for the opportunities and career I have enjoyed in Christian music. I have been blessed with a loving husband, 5 very special and talented children, and 14 grandchildren that brighten every day.

New Life Lutheran Cantata Choir is an incredible group of loving, talented, fun and caring volunteer singers. Early each fall we begin the process of rehearsals, with singers invited from our church as well as the community. Our presentation, the 1st week in December, is a gift to our community. To date, we have done several Joseph Martin works and everyone has met each new piece with enthusiasm and excitement. We are so grateful for the opportunity to join this group at Carnegie under Joseph Martin’s direction and only wish everyone could be here with us.

Nicole Camilleri has served as the Music Ministry Director at the Fairport United Methodist Church since 1999. She leads a program of over one hundred volunteers. Vocal choirs, handbell choirs, instrumental ensembles, and soloists embody the growing music ministry at FUMC. Nicole is also an Instructor of Sacred Music at the Eastman School of Music, and is on the board of the American Guild of Organists’ Rochester Chapter. Originally from Sea Cliff, NY, Nicole received her BM and MM degrees in organ performance from the Eastman School of Music and the Yale School of Music and Institute of Sacred Music.

The Fairport United Methodist Church is in a suburb of Rochester, NY. The music ministry at FUMC includes six volunteer choirs that rehearse regularly throughout the year, plus groups that rehearse seasonally, plus vocal and instrumental soloists. The Cantata Choir is an ensemble of about 40 singers who present a program of choral, organ, and handbell music each year during Advent. They have sung many of Joseph Martin’s cantatas. Four to five hundred people from the congregation and community attend the annual cantata performances. Members of the FUMC Cantata Choir are honored to be singing “The Winter Rose”!

A member of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Watertown, SD, Arlene has directed the choir there for 22 years. The church is blessed with talented singers and accompanists. Arlene enjoys selecting choral anthems that help interpret the Bible readings or theme for the day, reflect God’s amazing love and inclusive grace, and remind us to care for our neighbors. Several pieces in the choir’s inventory are composed or arranged by Mark Hayes. Arlene is also co-director of a 60-voice ecumenical Christmas community choir whose members are from 10+ churches in the Watertown area.

The Praise & Rejoice Choir is composed of about 25 singers and talented accompanist Mary Wika. They sing meaningful anthems and help lead worship at two Sunday services, about twice a month, from September through May. The choir’s repertoire ranges from tender a cappella pieces to rousing spirituals. Anthems are occasionally accompanied by flute, brass, violin, cello, or percussion. Some anthems are joined by children’s voices, representing three generations.

Cody Johnson has been Director of Worship Arts at Gulf Shores UMC for 8 years. He holds music degrees from the University of Mobile and Samford University. Along with talented organist, Jackie Dahlman, he leads the chancel choir, as well as many other musical groups within the worship arts ministry. Originally from St. Stephens, Alabama, he gained his love of music and teaching from his dad, brothers, and mother, Colette. He and his wife, Michelle, enjoy spending free time walking their 3 dogs!

The Gulf Shores UMC Chancel Choir in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is very active in both worship and concert throughout the year. Besides leading both 8:30 and 11:00 traditional worship services each Sunday morning, they perform a minimum of 4 concerts every year, in addition to Good Friday, Easter and Christmas. They strive to perform at least one masterwork annually, and were excited to welcome Mark Hayes last year to conduct their Christmas concert, including portions of his International Carol Suites. They are thrilled to have the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall for the first time!

Dr. Imgyu Kang joined Oral Roberts University in 2017 as the Director of Choral Activities where he directs several choirs and teaches Choral Conducting, Applied Voice, coordination of choral activities and events, and serves as an advisor to choral and conducting students. He was the assistant conductor of the University of Alabama and Georgia State University Singers. His teachings draw from a wide-ranging repertoire, covering all periodic styles and genres, while incorporating many performance techniques and practices for vocal students as well as aspiring conductors, especially in facilitating the discovery of expression and spirituality in musical performance.

ORU Chamber Singers: A highly selective vocal performance ensemble, which performs both a cappella and accompanied music in a variety of styles selected from the Renaissance period through the 21st century. ORU Chamber Singers performs at local events, on tours, and performs regularly throughout the community and region.

Melia Williams has been in the Northwest for the past six years as director for choirs and hand bells at Auburn Adventist Academy. Ms. Williams came to Auburn after spending the majority of her career in the Midwest at boarding academies in Colorado, Minnesota, Nebraska and North Dakota. She feels fortunate to have had the privilege of working with high school students throughout her teaching life. Other activities in the vocal program each year include producing a Broadway musical, coordinating a music festival for Western Washington Adventist Schools, as well as being the clinician for the festival choir. Ms. Williams groups also perform for churches, schools and other special events in the community. Each spring, Sylvan Chorale spends a week touring and performing all over the United States. Mrs. Williams celebrated a milestone of touring in all 50 states last spring by taking her choir to Hawaii.

SYLVAN CHORALE is the elite travelling choral group from Auburn Adventist Academy. The Seventh-day Adventist Christian high school was established in 1919 and is located in Auburn, Washington. AAA is surrounded by wooded land with a spectacular view of Mt. Rainier from the front campus. The chorale has been in existence for approximately 80 years and has a rich tradition of sacred and secular repertoire. Sylvan means “living in or abounding in woods and trees.” The group performs for churches, schools and local community events in western Washington throughout the school year. Each April, Sylvan travels for a week performing for churches and schools. Some of the past trips have included Southern and Northern California, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Alaska, and Hawaii. The group ranges in size from 18 to 28 members and includes students in grades 9 – 12.

Paul Robinson is Director of Worship Arts and Organist at First Presbyterian Church in Rapid City, South Dakota. A vocal performance graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, Robinson spent a number of years managing health clubs in Southern California prior to his work in music ministry. An advocate for congregational song, Robinson utilizes traditional hymnody, jazz, world music, and his own compositions to enrich the song of the people. Active in the local arts community, Paul has performed as a soloist or directed performances with the Dakota Choral Union, Black Hills Community Theatre, and the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra.

The First Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir provides musical leadership for most worship services. In addition to stylistically diverse choral anthems and the occasional hymn festival, they perform larger works during the Christmas and Easter seasons. In January they were honored to sing at the South Dakota ACDA 2018 Winter Convention and in March gave a well-received performance of Bob Chilcott’s St. John Passion for chorus and orchestra.

Marlene Stanley loved music before she was born. Her father was a choral conductor and a Juilliard graduate, and her mother was a singer with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She began studying under her father, in the Utah Symphony Choir, developing a directing style, unique to her. She began a successful community choir in Houston, TX, and is the current founder/director of two long-standing choirs in South Jordan, Utah. Her “Deci’Belles”, a 40-voice auditioned women’s choir, produces over 65 performances a year. Her “Sounds of the Season” project is a choir of 140 voices and a 31 piece orchestra. Deborah Veater has recently accepted the opportunity as Assistant Conductor for Marlene Stanley and the South Jordan Chorale. Along with that she has taken on the responsibility to musically prepare the choir for the “Music of Mark Hayes” concert. She has a BA in music from the University of Utah, serving her community as a conductor of sacred and secular choirs. She has served as a Symphony Docent for the Utah Symphony in local grade schools, and as a hired professional consultant for musical productions. She has performed in many choral organizations and has taught voice for 30 years.

SoJo Choral Arts, a non-profit, organized in 2016 to support choral education and performance in the South Jordan, Utah area, currently oversees two choral groups founded by Director, Marlene Stanley. “Sounds of the Season Chorale and Orchestra” and “Deci’Belles”, now in their 14th and 16th years, have produced hundreds of performances and workshops, building a strong local presence. “This is a powerful community of non-denominational musicians who come together to make a difference. Now with non-profit status, we are able to partner with charities, giving back in ways we have never been able to before.” –McKell Scanlan, Executive Director

An active performer and collaborator, Dr. Bernardo Scarambone has appeared in concerts and festivals in his native Brazil, as well as in Italy, Germany, Austria, and all around the United States of America. As professor and director of the keyboard division at Eastern Kentucky University he maintains not only his active career as a performer, but as a teacher, adjudicator and researcher. His research areas include early repertoire for the piano, entrepreneurial career options for musicians, preparing the music student to face the job market, and community engagement. His students have won numerous prizes in state and national competitions, and are always involved in community engagement projects.

After an extensive research on historical editions and keyboard instruments, Dr. Scarambone is currently editing the first known composition for the piano – A set of 12 Sonatas by the Italian composer Ludovico Giustini. 

The current choir director of Union Church, Berea KY,, Dr. Scarambone earned a Doctoral Degree in piano performance from the University of Houston, a Master’s degree in Studio Teaching/Piano Performance from Indiana University, and a Bachelor Degree from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, his home city in Brazil.  He performs and teaches at Eastern Kentucky University. ​

The Union Church Choir is a 30+ member musical ensemble that is one of the many musical ensembles at Union Church. The group is comprised of members of various ages, ranging from youth to adult, and is made of members who are music readers and non-readers. The ensemble has appeared at many local Kentucky events, including the Annual Festival of Spirituals and many others. The ensemble provides music during Sunday morning worship services to uplift the name of God, and speak to many through their music.

Tara Beitzel is the Choir Director at Trinity Lutheran Church and teaches voice out of her home studio. An accomplished mezzo-soprano, Tara is often the alto soloist for oratorios including Handel’s Messiah and Mozart’s Requiem. She leads Trinity Lutheran’s 40-voice Festival Choir for annual Christmas and Easter Cantatas with full orchestra. Tara earned her bachelors degree in English with a minor in vocal performance from Gettysburg College and holds a master’s degree in education from Goucher College. She lives with her husband and son in Mount Joy.

The Trinity Lutheran Festival Choir is a 40-voice choir under the direction of Tara Beitzel. The Choir shares their vocal talents during special worship events throughout the year; primarily cantatas. These special cantatas celebrate the Easter and Christmas seasons and are led by a full orchestra. Recent cantatas include: What Sweeter Music: A Festival of Carols by Mark Hayes, Let Heaven and Nature Sing Gloria by Mark Hayes and John Parker and Behold the Lamb by Lloyd Larson. The choir has also sung for pastoral ordination and installation services.

Dr. Daniel Hibbett has served as the Minister of Music at St. Luke Lutheran Church since the fall of 2000. He has a DMA in choral conducting from the University of Washington. Before coming to St. Luke, Dr. Hibbett directed choirs and taught church music and music history courses at Central Christian College (McPherson, KS), Seattle Pacific University, and Northwest Nazarene University (Nampa, ID). During his doctoral studies, Dan served as the full-time Director of Music Ministries at Edmonds United Methodist Church on Puget Sound north of Seattle.

The Rejoice Choir is a mixed choral ensemble of volunteer singers (high school - adult) that ministers weekly for one or two services on Sundays in addition to worship gatherings on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Good Friday, and Easter. The choir presents at least one major work each year in collaboration with another church choir and chamber orchestra, including classical works and contemporary pieces by composers such John Rutter and Mark Hayes. They sing a wide variety of music including classical, gospel and contemporary anthems, hymn arrangements, and liturgical settings.

Ken is in his second year at Acton UMC. He holds degrees from McMurry University and the University of Texas. He has held church positions in El Paso, Amarillo, Midland, Houston, and most recently in Virginia.

The Acton UMC chancel choir participated in the Mark Hayes Carol Suites concert last year, and also presented it as part of our Christmas. We normally have approximately 50 members. We also present Acton Celebrates America each year.

Jim Raycroft is a 34 year member of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and works in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. He has appeared in movies and television, on movie soundtracks and recordings, and has sung on Main Street at Disneyland and for the President of the United States and the Queen of England. He is the choral director for the Los Angeles Lawyers Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, the Santa Monica Symphony and the newly-formed Los Angeles Chorus. He is a published arranger and orchestrator, and founded The Singers Elite, a referral service for professional singers and vocal entertainment.

The First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach Chancel Choir is made up of dedicated volunteers who fearlessly tackle vocal works both small and large. They have been assisting with the worship service every Sunday morning since the sanctuary building was opened in 1926.

KAREN HARVEY, Minister of Music at UCC, Norwell, MA, conducts four choirs in a multi-generational music ministry, and enjoys a career as pianist, educator, conductor and composer. An M.I.T. Affiliate Artist, Tanglewood Fellow and soloist with numerous orchestras, she has premiered many compositions, including several written for her, and has recorded three solo piano CDs. Ms. Harvey has performed with the Cantata Singers in Boston’s Symphony Hall, and served as pianist for the Boston Pops Chorus and Boston Ballet. She led the Holiday Chorus at Faneuil Hall for several seasons and conducted a Festival Choir at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

The UCC Sanctuary Choir of Norwell, MA is one of four choirs in an active and growing music ministry under the direction of Karen Harvey, Minister of Music. The Sanctuary Choir prepares music for services throughout the year, and also offers many free events to the community including multiple Christmas Concerts and a first-ever Tribute to Veterans on November 11th. In addition to performing the world premiere of Mark Hayes’ Requiem five years ago at Lincoln Center, the choir traveled to Rome to participate in its European premiere and also sang for Mass at the Vatican.

James Steven Harter is an ordained Minister of Music in the United Methodist Church. He received a Bachelor of Music Education from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas (1978) and a Master of Church Music from Scarritt Graduate School in Nashville, Tennessee (1980). He was the Director of Music Ministries at Central United Protestant Church in Richland, Washington from 1980-1997 and has been the Minister of Music and Arts at First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado since 1997. Since 1988, his choirs have performed all over the United States and Europe, including Carnegie Hall in 1993, and also as the featured USA choir at the International Church Music Festival in Bern, Switzerland in 1999. Additionally, Rev. Harter was awarded the National Religious Week Music Alliance Award of Distinction in 2002. In recent years, his youth choir has sung in the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., the Texas State Capitol Rotunda, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, NM and the Holy Cross Chapel in Sedona, AZ. His youth choir members have been selected to sing in the National Honor Youth Choir (2017) and the select CUE Choral Ambassadors concert tour of Ireland (2018).Both of these choirs are sponsored by Youth CUE.

The Youth Chorale of First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado is one of 12 performing ensembles. Members of the Chorale are selected by audition from the larger youth choir. All members of the Chorale must be in high school. In addition to singing monthly in worship at First Methodist, the Chorale sings for occasional community events. The Chorale also performs one third of every concert on the annual youth choir ten day tour. Members of the Chorale are required to continue their membership in the larger youth choir. The Chorale rehearses for 55 minutes every Sunday afternoon prior to the larger youth choir rehearsal. Members of the Chorale are held to a higher attendance expectation than the members of the larger youth choir. Many members of the Chorale are also members of the Colorado All State Choir. Four members of the Chorale were selected to be in a 24 member select chorus (selected from across the U.S.) to sing as Choral Ambassadors with YouthCUE for a 12 day concert tour of Ireland in July, 2018.