Robin Anderson’s diverse history as a director, composer, and arts administrator has included appointments with the University of Missouri School of Music, Columbia College, Columbia Youth Choirs, Odyssey Chamber Music Series, and Columbia Public Schools. She serves on the advisory board for the Quorus and is a member of NATS and ACDA. Robin holds a Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Missouri – Columbia and a Certificate in Arts Management from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst. She regularly appears as a soloist or with The Upsides, a 4-piece touring Americana group.

Bethel Singers is a 15-voice multi-generational worship ensemble from Columbia, Missouri. The choir is made up several families traveling as partners, parents, children, brothers, sisters, and friends. Its members’ participation in services and the greater church and music community span decades. Established in 1855, the congregation of approximately 100 remains one of Columbia’s oldest churches. The choir presents service anthems throughout the year and an annual full-length Christmas cantata along with pianist Audra Sergel and church instrumentalists. They are excited and grateful for the opportunity to collaborate alongside amazing musicians, directors, and performers!

Susan Lovelace-Gerrish has been Director of Music Ministries at FUMC Uvalde, TX since 1996, directing UM church choirs and handbell groups since 1980. She is certified as an Associate in Music Ministry in the United Methodist Church, having successfully completed the requirements at Church Music Summer School at SMU Perkins School of Theology. Susan conducts the Chancel Choir, Ring of Truth handbells, and God’s Kids. She has led the Chancel Choir in several community wide events.

The Chancel Choir is composed of thirty-five members, most participating for more than twenty years. The group provides the choir choir for community special events. They were blessed to be part of Carnegie Hall's "Mozart, Mealor, Martin" performance on February 15, 2016 and are very excited to return to NYC.

Music has always been in Diane's life. She started taking piano lessons in 1st grade and began playing the organ in junior high. Throughout her school years, she was either at a keyboard or singing in a choir. Diane graduated from college with a double major in vocal music and elementary education. She retired after a 35 year classroom teaching career and currently continues in education as a substitute teacher. She has been the Chancel Choir director for 18 years. Diane spends every opportunity she can with her sisters, her two children, and most importantly, her five grandchildren.

The members of the Chancel Choir are volunteers that share a love of music. Many are over 60 years old and began singing in a church choir when they were in high school. Most of the singers have retired from their profession and now enjoy traveling and spending time with their families. In their spare time, they volunteer their services within the community. The Chancel Choir sings from September through May and averages 16 to 18 singers in attendance each Sunday. They are truly a very dedicated and talented group that believes in sharing the word of God through music.

Jan Lanterman has served as director of music at Napa Methodist Church in Napa, California, since 1973. She is a graduate of California State University, Chico, where she studied voice and conducting, and has studied postgraduate with several luminaries in the choral field. She is passionate about providing opportunities and direction for lifelong singing experiences. Jan was born in Texas but was raised in Petaluma, California. She is also the artistic director and executive director of Sing Napa Valley, Napa's intergenerational, auditioned community chorus, and serves as treasurer of the Western Division of the American Choral Directors Association.

The 40-voice Cathedral Choir of Napa Methodist Church, Napa California, is the adult choir of the congregation and sings regularly on Sunday mornings and for special occasions in the life of the church and community. With a repertoire ranging from renaissance through contemporary music (including premieres), the choir has also worked with Dr. Carlton Young of Nashville on creative and innovative services of worship involving drama and liturgical dance. The choir also annually presents selections from a Broadway musical in collaboration with the pastor(s) and their interpretation of the gospel told through musical theater.

LaVerne Rivers Banks is a member of the New Covenant Church in Cedar Creek, Texas, and serves as the head musician, organist and pianist under the leadership of Pastor Eddie E. Willis, Sr. In 1970 she began serving in the music ministry with the church’s founder, the late Bishop Roland James Allen. Throughout the years she has shared her music and singing during missionary endeavors in several states, Canada, Guatemala and Belize, Central America. LaVerne and Associate Minister Charles Banks, Sr. have been married for 45 years, and have 4 children with their spouses, 17 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. 

The New Covenant Church Ensemble of Cedar Creek/Bastrop received an exceptional recommendation by conductor and composer Joseph Martin to perform in the Distinguished Concerts International New York presentation at Carnegie Hall. This select group of singers and musicians represent the church's two choirs, Hope Choir and Young Adult Choir, which are under the leadership of Pastor Eddie E. Willis, Sr. and Director LaVerne Banks.  Joseph Martin heard about their participation in last year’s Joyous Christmas Program. This nonsectarian event was conceptualized by C. Joyce Lukrofka, and was conducted and accompanied by Dr. Brad Nix.

Curt Olson, Director of Music Ministries at Bethany UMC since 2000, leads a music program of 19 ensembles involving over 400 people of all ages including: choirs, orchestra, handbells, men's ensemble, women's ensemble, special needs chime choir, and praise teams. Curt is a graduate of Asbury University with additional study at Troy University. He has over 40 years experience as a music director in United Methodist churches in Alabama, Louisiana, Florida and Texas. Curt is married and has two adult sons.

The Bethany UMC Chancel Choir, an 80 voice ensemble, has a history of providing exceptional choral music for church and community. The choir had the honor of singing at the Southwest Texas Annual Conference and the Round Top Music Festival. In addition to providing music each Sunday, the choir presents major works ranging from Handel's MESSIAH and Vivaldi's GLORIA to Pepper Choplin's OUR FATHER and Joseph Martin's THE WINTER ROSE. Each year the choir has the unique opportunity of working with a well known composer of sacred music. Recently they were privileged to present GOSPEL TRINITY with composer Rosephanye Powell.

Robin Gramling served as choir director and pianist for Gramling United Methodist Church in Gramling, South Carolina for 15 years before moving to Charleston, South Carolina where she directs the First Baptist Church School Chapel Chorus. She is also an AP English Literature teacher whose focus is integrating the arts within the classroom. One of her students this past year was the Poetry out Loud champion for South Carolina. Mrs. Gramling is director of student led productions at First Baptist that feature the fusion of music, literature, art, and dance.

The First Baptist Church School Chapel Chorus is a volunteer group of students who gathers simply for the love of music. It began as a small group who loved to sing but were unable to fit a music class into busy schedules. The group meets at lunch every day for rehearsal, sacrificing their only break of the day for the chance to sing. The ensemble has grown to around 16, performing at school and church events and assemblies as well as community affairs.

Dan Phillips has been the Director of Music at First United Methodist Church for seven years. During his time with the church, the chancel choir has performed along with several other choirs in the region as well as professional orchestras. In addition to his duties as choral director, he is a professional bassoonist and private music instructor in North Louisiana.

The Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church is made up of over 40 singers, some with as many as 70 years of active church music leadership experience! They sing anthems every Sunday in the Traditional worship service and also lead music is special services throughout the year. The highlight of our year is our Christmas Cantata, which we perform in cooperation with choirs from several other churches in our area as well as a professional symphony orchestra.

Cristen Mitchell is the Director of Music Ministries at Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church. There she directs the Chancel Choir, Praise Band, Children & Youth Music Ensemble, Grace Bells Handbell Choir, and Instrumental Ensemble. She also teaches the music class for the church preschool, and music workshops in the community at schools and libraries. Cristen was a vocal soloist at the Lincoln Center in New York City earlier this year for the premiere of Psalm 23: A Journey with the Shepherd by Pepper Choplin. She has a Bachelors of Music in Music Education from Radford University, a Church Music Certificate from Virginia Wesleyan College, and a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting from James Madison University. She and her husband live in Staunton, VA with their daughter, Anna; dog, Roscoe; and cat, Serena.

The Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Chancel Choir serves each at their church's 11:00am worship service. A special presentation is given for “Music Sunday” in the fall, and for the Advent and Lenten seasons as well. These special presentations include chamber instrumental ensembles with our combined choirs. Our members, who vary in age, occupations, and interests, represent a cross sections of our church. This is our first trip to sing in New York City, but we hope to be a part of more opportunities like this!

Miss Harms is in her fifth year as the Professor of Vocal and Choral Music at Central Christian College of Kansas. She conducts the Concert Choir and Chanter Tigres, a small auditioned ensemble. She holds an MME in Piano Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma, as well as a National Certification in the Kodály Concept.

The Central Christian College of Kansas Concert Choir is from McPherson, Kansas. The choir is highly involved in the community, taking part in church services and community events on a regular basis. Each spring they take a Midwest tour to perform at schools and churches, sharing the beauty of music with their audiences.

Christopher Hart is Director of Music & Arts at Centenary UMC, (McComb, MS). He holds degrees from Drake University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Christopher has been involved in church music since an early age, has sung with The Sarasota Opera Company (Apprentice Artist), the Tulsa Opera Chorus, and in 2013 was Chorus Master for the Natchez Festival of Music production of Rigoletto. He is an award-winning songwriter, and is actively involved in the arts in McComb.

The Centenary UMC Chancel Choir is an all-volunteer choir, Middle School through adults. They lead worship and sing anthems each week. The choir performs a major work at Christmastime and other special musical programs throughout the year.

Kathleen Skipper Smallwood is the Director of Music Ministries at Covenant United Methodist Church in Austin. She has served there for 24 years, and many other churches. She completed her education at the University of Denver and SMU Perkins school of Theology. At an early age, Kathy had the opportunity to sing and travel with the Department of Defense , singing on countless military bases in all commands, including The North East Air Command, European Command, Far Eastern Command, Caribbean Command. Kathy has also been fortunate in doing lead roles in 8 musicals around the country, and was soloist in Mozart's " Requiem" and" Cosi Von Tutte " "The Messiah" "Elijah", and "The Mikado". She was a member and soloist with the University of Texas Morris Beachy singing groups for 17 years, performing all around the world. Kathy and Don have been married for 10 years and have 5 children and 5 grandchildren

Our Covenant United Church Choir has performed with many civic groups, and has given their talents in at least 50 cantatas and large works. Their devotion and love of singing for God has been a joy to experience.

Mezzo-soprano, is adjunct professor of voice at Florida Atlantic University and music director at First Church of Coral Springs. She is assistant conductor and artist in residence with the Delray Beach Chorale since 2009 and also served as Operations Manager of the Palm Beach Symphony for five consecutive seasons (2009-2014). Ms. Hidalgo has performed and recorded throughout South Florida and the United States, including numerous operas with Palm Beach Opera (2009–2013). Solo repertoire includes Handel’s Messiah and Dixit Dominus, Durufle’s Requiem, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Purcell's Jubilate Deo and Bach’s Magnificat in D. An accomplished and sought after soloist with experience in studio recording and cross over styles. Certified Level I: Somatic Voice; and Level II and III: Contemporary Commercial Music Vocal Pedagogy Institute at Shenandoah University and a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).

First Church Sanctuary Choir is comprised of high school and adult volunteers of various skill levels and musical backgrounds. The choir enjoys their time in fellowship and strives to prepare music which glorifies, edifies, and ministers to all who worship with them by spending their time and talents on building the Kingdom of God through musical worship leading.

Tom Heintzleman is beginning his fourth year as the choir director at Hope Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Illinois. He has directed church choirs in Chicago, Dixon, Mt. Morris and Sterling, Illinois as well as Forney, Texas when he was a student at Perkins Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. He is excited to be sharing this opportunity with many members of the church choir as well as his spouse of 32 years, Roger Streu. He is grateful for the wonderful music instruction he has received over the years and would like to acknowledge Dr. Lloyd Pfautsch, Dr. David Nott, and Mr. Daniel Sprecklemeyer. Let the Illinois Wesleyan University tradition continue.

The Hope Presbyterian Church choir has had a long and exciting musical tradition since the founding of the church in 1966 on the southwest side of Springfield, Illinois. This dedicated group of singers works diligently to provide an enhanced liturgical experience for each member of the congregation during the weekly Sunday service and on other worship occasions. Each year during the advent season a cantata is presented with instrumental accompaniment utilizing local musicians. Joseph M. Martin cantatas have been used often over the past 15 years, so it is a pleasure for the group to sing a world premiere Joseph M. Martin piece. The choir appreciates a diversified repertoire. The ensemble sings a variety of music ranging from classical traditional music to modern day music mixed with a good dose of spirituals.

Hannah Barrett has been a member of CROSSROADS for 8 years and has been the accompanist and director of CROSSROADS for that last 5 years and is active in church choir, special music, bell choir and playing both the piano and organ at the First United Methodist Church in Hays KS. She also actively sings and plays piano in two other groups - Shades of Joy and Total Praise.

CROSSROADS is a singing ensemble that is compromised of members who participate in a singing ministry. The musical style and content of CROSSROADS is steeped in the rich Southern tradition of a true gospel sound. Members of CROSSROADS come from all walks of life and denominations.

Mr. Williams has been conducting church, community and high school choirs in Washington, California, Mississippi, and Thailand for over thirty five years. He was the Director of the Pacific Men's Chorale and founder of the San Diego Lutheran Chorale where he was Conductor and Artistic Director. He was an adjunct Professor in the Music Department at Point Loma Nazarene University for many years. He was the Director of the Welsh Choir of Southern California for five years. While the Conductor of the Welsh Choir, they received an invitation to sing at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. for the morning Worship Service. Frank said it was one the most humbling experiences he has ever encountered. In 2016, the St. Mark's Chancel Choir performed the San Diego premier of Dan Forrest's "Requiem for the Living." Currently, he is Director of Music at St. Mark's United Methodist church and oversees the Chime and Handbells Choirs and Directs the Cherub Hallelujah and Chancel Choirs.

The Chancel Choir has led the music ministry at St. Mark's and has been and continues to be an integral part of the worship services. In the fall of 1954, the first choir was organized with an enthusiastic nucleus of ten voices. They were accompanied by a portable pump organ that had been loaned to the church. The Chancel Choir's first special musical performance was on Maundy Thursday, April 1957, when they presented Faure's Requiem. The Chancel Choir has had many long-time time dedicated members over the years. During this time they performed with an orchestra many memorable major works, such as Vivaldi's Gloria and Requiem, Dvorak's Mass in D Major, Brahm's German Requiem, Handel's Messiah and Forrest's Requiem for the Living. The Chancel choir has also provided music for Ecumenical Council's Easter Sunrise Service at the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. We also sing in the homes of our congregation members who are in hospice care. The choir is close knit circle of friends that can accurately be described as a choir family.

Rev. Donald Dexter is a retired Presbyterian pastor living in Atascadero, Ca. with his wife Pennie. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in music with a choral emphasis from Cal State San Bernadino, a Masters of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and a California Elementary School Teaching Credential from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Rev. Dexter has 35 years of choral directing experience, often serving as pastor and choir director. He has directed the AUMC Choir since 2012. Rev. Dexter believes that if you are not having fun while making music, you are not doing it right.

The Atascadero United Methodist Church Choir is a group of 35 talented and devoted singers who are always willing to be challenged by new and interesting music, and who have fun doing it. Each week they provide music carefully chosen to enhance the worship experience of our congregation who appreciates their contribution. In addition to weekly anthems, the choir prepares cantatas for Christmas and the Easter season, as well as preparing special musical events for the enjoyment and fellowship of our congregation.

Bobbi is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Bandon, OR and a lifelong musician. Upon coming to Bandon ten years ago and learning that all of the churches in this small resort/retirement community were too small to perform full-length sacred concerts, she invited all singers to join together for seasonal cantata presentations. The choir has enjoyed working with a variety of directors and accompanists over the years, and presenting the music of a number of different composers, but Joseph M. Martin has become a favorite--we have returned to his work year after year.

Over the years, the Bandon Community Sacred Choir has represented as many as ten different churches. The ensemble is completely volunteer, and we all look forward to getting together for Christmas and Holy Week concerts. Those participating in this DCINY performance represent two churches from our community of 3,000 who each have less than 100 members.

Mark is an accomplished church musician with forty-six years of public ministry as pianist, organist, keyboardist, with a proficiency as accompanist. He has served the last thirteen years as church choir director. He volunteers monthly at the local Christian men's shelter. He also provides musical services at weddings, dinners, and funerals. He has participated in previous years in the local Messiah chorus.

The CLBC Worship Choir ministers weekly to the Lord and the congregation with rarely a week off. However, the choir does observe a Summer Choir mode with a lighter music load. The choir has been in existence over sixty years. Several members also sing with community civic groups including Barbershop competitions as well as volunteering their musical gifts to the local hospice. The members have a great rapport with one another and are some of the most involved members, volunteers, and givers in the church. In 2016 the choir sung "Appalachian Winter" at the Charleston Town Center mall.

Regina McCurdy serves as the Director of Liturgical Music and principal organist at St. John Catholic Church, a vibrant faith community of over 4, 500 registered families. She oversees a diverse and very active music ministry that incorporates the vast repertoire of sacred music from Gregorian chant to ancient and modern polyphony to contemporary sacred Christian music.

Matthew Ogden serves as assistant organist and directs the Adult Choir and the Spanish Coro. He is a classically trained baritone with extensive background in both operatic and art song literature, as well as choral music. He teaches bassoon and voice on the faculty of the Catoctin School of Music and performs with various orchestras.

The all-volunteer Adult Choir serves in music ministry for both weekly and special Masses, Holy Week and Christmas Masses, our annual Christmas and Lenten cantatas, and for such special liturgical celebrations as our annual “Blue Mass” in honor of those who serve our nation and our communities as police, firefighters, EMT’s, and members of the armed forces. Our mission as members of this ministry is aligned with the Mission of our Parish; we are “devoted to worshipping God and spreading the Good News of the Lord, by word and example” and of course, through God’s gift of music!

Penny Dixon is the Director of Music Ministries at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Penny directs 4 choirs: For His Glory Ringers Bell Choir, King's Men Choir, Adult Mixed Choir and Christmas Cantata Choir and also serves as the church organist. Penny commissioned Joseph Martin to write an anthem for her choir and he penned "Pieta", which is one of his top sellers. Penny is very proud of her choirs and appreciates their hard work and dedication and she gives all honor and glory to God, the Giver of the Song.

The First Evangelical Lutheran Choir has presented Christmas Cantatas for over 30 years to the community of Idaho Falls. They have become an important part of the Christmas celebrations in the area. The choir sings for 6 Cantata presentations each December to very full congregations and all offerings gathered are given to the local food bank and soup kitchen. The choir is extremely honored for this opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall and are holding close to their hearts a scripture from the book of Luke: "From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be expected."

Dr. Thomas Juneau performs with a variety of ensembles in the Northeast. He is Founder and Artistic Director of the Juneau Vocal Alliance a professional choral ensemble based in New Jersey. He serves as Artistic Director of Summit Chorale, now entering its 105th season and will be entering his fifth year as Director of Choral Activities at Saint Joseph’s University, where he is also Instructor of Voice and Director of SJU Opera Theater. In addition, he is Director of Music at Saint Joseph’s Church in Carteret, New Jersey where he also teaches Kindergarten through 8th Grade Music. Dr. Juneau’s compositions for chorus are published by numerous companies, including Carl Fischer Music, Walton Music, Hal Leonard Corporation, Golden Path Music, Alliance Music, and Southern Music.

Summit Chorale is one of New Jersey's oldest active choral organizations. Led by Artistic Director, Dr. Thomas Juneau, we have entered our second century of exciting repertoire and music making. During our season we perform masterworks of choral literature as well as music from comtemporary composers and explore varied musical styles. We strive for repertoire that will challenge our singers and appeal to a wide audience. Summit Chorale is a volunteer chorus made up of experienced singers who span both volunteer and professional singing backgrounds and draws the majority of its members from central and northern New Jersey. In addition to singing concerts and weekly rehearsals, members volunteer in publicity and fundraising efforts, ticket sales, program publication, and concert staging. The Board of Trustees, elected by the regular membership, is comprised of singing members and community leaders.

Craig Ramberger holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Messiah College, and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the Colorado State University. Craig is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Music Honor Society, and the American Guild of Organists. Prior to his move to Florida, he taught high school choral music in Colorado and Texas. He has been the Music Director at Faith United Methodist Church in Bradenton, FL since September 2015. At FUMC he directs the Chancel Choir, and the Handbell and Handchime Choirs. Craig, and the members of his choir are proud and thrilled to be a part of this concert.

The members of the Faith United Methodist Chancel Choir of Bradenton, FL are proud to be one of the choral groups to represent the state of Florida today. The Chancel Choir has grown over the past two and a half years from 17 to 27 members. Each week, we provide service music and special music, as well as two major cantatas each choir season. Our accompanist, Brandon Kouri, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Piano Performance from the University of Colorado in Boulder. We love to make Faith felt in our music ministry at church and in the community.

Annie Bennett graduated from Calvary Bible College with a degree in Music Education. After working 2 years full-time teaching music at Muncie Christian School (K-12), Annie became a stay at home mom. She home-schooled her 5 children and gave private piano lessons for extra income. In 2005 she accepted the position as Music Director at Open Door Baptist Church, including Director of the Choir. Annie loves her job and loves challenging her Worship Teams and choir to improve their skill for the glory of the Lord. Annie and her husband, Brad, recently celebrated their 30th anniversary.

The Open Door Baptist Church choir consists of 35-45 members from High School age and up. They mainly perform at Christmas and Easter, rehearsing weekly on a seasonal schedule. They have been under the direction of Annie Bennett for 12 years.