Welcome to the Choral Foundation!

On behalf of our Board of Trustees, our Music Staff, and the over 600 men, women and young people who participate in our choral ensembles, I thank you for your interest in music of timeless beauty and worth, and I appreciate your taking the time to visit with us. It is my hope that we at the Choral Foundation will have the privilege of serving you for many years to come.

The growth of the Choral Foundation in recent years has been stunning and dramatic. It all began on February 26, 1985 when some twenty singers gathered in the basement of a suburban Atlanta church to form the original Festival Singers. Now, there are four Festival Singers choirs that include the Kansas City and Atlanta ensembles of the William Baker Festival Singers, the Cobb Festival Singers under the direction of Lynn Swanson, and the new Lawrence (KS) Festival Singers under the direction of Kathryn Huey.

Our first summer ensemble, the Summer Singers of Atlanta, was created in 1990. To celebrate their twentieth summer of singing in 2009, they joined with distinguished soloists and symphony orchestra to perform Beethoven’s epic Symphony No. 9 in D minor. The Summer Singers of Kansas City followed in 1999, and the Cobb Summer Singers was created in 2006.

The Choral Foundation is committed to serving children and youth with opportunities for meaningful choral participation. The Northside Young Singers, now including a Training Choir for grades 2-3 and a Concert Choir for grades 4-8, was created by Lynn Swanson in 2008. As part of the Northside Young Singers in 2010 Lynn Swanson and Dr. William O. Baker will co-direct the Youth Chorale for students ages 13-18.  The Kansas City Youth Festival Singers under the direction of Christine Freeman, and the Columbus (GA) Chamber Singers under the direction of Matthew White, were added in 2009. The annual Summer Music Camp involves dozens of youth and children in a week-long exploration of great music for chorus and handbells.

In addition to our performing ensembles, the Choral Foundation offers printed music through Amber Waves Music Publishing, a creative company that supports emerging composers, authors and arrangers. Our Student Intern and Choral Scholars program has opened the door to continuing education and apprenticeship to over two dozen young men and women pursuing a career in choral leadership. Graduates of our student programs now lead excellent choirs from California to Georgia.

In the 25 years of Festival Singers tradition, and in the 20 years since the Choral Foundation itself was created, our thousands of singers have given hundreds of concerts and offered dozens of recordings, broadcasts and tours. It has been and it remains our vision to enrich lives and change destinies with every note of music that we offer.

It is my hope that the music of the Choral Foundation will be a blessing to you. As new dreams come true for our musical family each and every day, it will be our purpose to grow in service to our communities and to music lovers just like you.

Please enjoy your visit.

Soli Deo Gloria,

William O. Baker, DMA

Founder & Music Director

NW Georgia Summer Singers Concert

Northwest Georgia Summer Singers will have their Inaugural Concert on Sunday, August 1st at 3:00 pm.  Lynn Swanson, Music Director and Conductor, leads the group with assistance from George Chesnut (Associate Music Director and Accompanist).  The performance will feature Vivaldi’s Gloria and a variety of classics and spirituals.  The concert will be held at Sam Jones Memorial United Methodist Church on 100 West Church Street in Cartersville, GA.  Admission is $10 for all seats with those under 12 free.

Summers Singers of KC concerts

Two performances of Summer Singers of Kansas City with members of the Kansas City Symphony will be held on August 21 (at 8:00 pm) and August 22 (at 2:00 pm).  Dr. William O. Baker, Music Director and Conductor, leads the group during their 12th season with assistance from Melissa Ann Shallberg (Associate Music Director & Vocal Coach), Kym Gibbs & Dr. O. Wayne Smith (Accompanists) and guest conductors Christine Freeman and Kathryn Huey.  Featured soloists include Sarah Tannehill (soprano), Kristee Haney (alto), Charles Martinex (tenor) and Joshua Lawler (bass). The performance will feature Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Mozart’s Regina Coeli, and Bach’s Dona Nobis Pacem along with other great classics and spirituals.  The concert will be held at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral located at Broadway and 13th Street in downtown Kansas City, MO. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for students, and those under 12 are free.

Summer Singers of Atlanta Concerts

Two performances of Summer Singers of Atlanta and Chamber Orchestra will be held on August 14 (at 8:00 pm) and 15 (at 4:00 pm).  Dr. William O. Baker, Music Director and Conductor, leads the group during their 21th season with assistance from Lynn Swanson (Associate Music Director).  The Masters of the Baroque performance will feature Vivaldi’s Gloria, and works of Handel, Pachelbel & Bach.  The August 14th concert will be held at Grace United Methodist Church on 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue in Midtown Atlanta.  The August 15th concert will be held at Peachtree Christian Church on 1580 Peachtree Street NE in Midtown Atlanta.  Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for students, and those under 12 are free.

Cobb Summer Singers Concerts

Two performances of Cobb Summer Singers and Chamber Orchestra will be held on August 7 and 8, with both concerts beginning at 6:00 pm.  Lynn Swanson, Music Director and Conductor, leads the group during their 5th season with assistance from Scott Smith (Associate Music Director) and Ivy Belk Pirl (Accompanist).  The performance will feature Mozart’s Solemn Vespers.  The concert on August 7th will be held at Maple Avenue United Methodist Church on 63 Maple Avenue in Marietta.   The concert on August 8th will be at St. Catherine Episcopal Church on 571 Holt Road in Marietta, GA.  Admission is free, with donations gratefully accepted.

WBFS-Kansas City Auditions

Interested in joining an ensemble of musicians dedicated to producing great choral music?  Schedule your audition today for the William Baker Festival Singers of Kansas City.  Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings at Faith Lutheran Church (Roe Ave. and W 67th Street) in Prairie Village, KS.  For more information visit festivalsingers.org/audition or call 913.403.9223.

Audition now for WBFS-Atlanta

Auditions are currently being held for the William Baker Festival Singers of Atlanta.  Rehearsals for the ensemble begin in late August and are held on Sunday evenings at Grace United Methodist Church (458 Ponce de Leon Ave, NE) in Midtown Atlanta.  More information regarding the audition process can be found at festivalsingers.org/audition.

Music Staff and Trustees

Music Staff

William O. Baker, DMA, Music Director & Conductor, WBaker@FestivalSingers.org

Melissa Ann Shallberg, Executive Associate Music Director, Senior Vocal Coach, MShallberg@FestivalSingers.org

Lynn Swanson, Director of Northside Young Singers, Cobb Festival, Singers, Cobb Summer Singers, LSwanson@FestivalSingers.org

Christine Freeman, Director of Kansas City Youth Chamber Singers, CFreeman@FestivalSingers.org

Kathryn Huey, Director of Lawrence Festival Singers, KHuey@Festival Singers.org

Matt White, Director of Columbus Chamber Singers

Scott Smith, Choral Associate and Administrator, SSmith@FestivalSingers.org

O. Wayne Smith, DMA, Staff Accompanist

Leanne Herrmann, Staff Accompanist

Sue Goddard, AAGO, Staff Accompanist

Ivy Belk Pirl, Staff Accompanist for The Northside Young Singers

Administrative Staff

Michael S. McGarry Ph.D., Director of Choral Initiatives

Board of Trustees

Michael S. McGarry, Ph.D, Chair of the Board	Atlanta, Georgia
Manu Singh, MD, Vice Chairperson	Leewood, Kansas
Dorothy Goodson, CPA, Treasurer	Atlanta, Georgia
William Dreyfoos, Trustee at Large	Atlanta, Georgia
William Dreyfoos,Mary Puetz, Trustee at Large Trustee at Large	Sioux Center, Iowa

Trustees Emeritus

Scott Smith	Atlanta, Georgia
Ross Malme	Dunwoody, Georgia
Brad Piroutek	Spring Hill, Kansas

Auditions for Northside Young Singers

Northside Young Singers is holding auditions for the Concert Choir (ages 10 – 13) and the Youth Chorale (ages 13 – 18) Please email Music Director, Lynn Swanson at LSwanson@FestivalSingers.org or call the Cobb office line at 678.787.9189 to schedule an audition. Please visit the Northside Young Singers link on the Festival Singers homepage.

Cobb Festival Singers Audition Now

Cobb Festival Singers is presently holding auditions for all voice parts. Please email Music Director, Lynn Swanson at LSwanson@FestivalSingers.org or call the Cobb office line at 678.787.9189 to schedule an audition.  Please visit the Cobb Festival Singers link on the Festival Singers homepage.

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