Joseph Martin, a native of North Carolina, earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. Subsequently he earned a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance at the University of Texas, Austin. Joseph taught for five years in the Piano Pedagogy Department of the University of Texas. His piano teachers include Jimmy Woodle, David Gibson, Amanda Vick Lethco, Martha Hilley and Danielle Martin. While at Furman University, he was accompanist for choral director and composer Milburn Price and, inspired by his teaching, Martin began to compose.
He is a member of the staff of Shawnee Press, Inc. as Director of Sacred Publications, with responsibilities for overseeing the editorial and creative direction of the company and also coordinating the recording and production aspects of future sacred publishing efforts.
Joseph has performed solo piano recitals and has been the featured artist with symphony orchestras in the United States and Mexico. As winner of the Nina Plant Wideman Competition, he performed with the Guadalajara Symphony Orchestra. His solo recital in Ex-convento del Carmen was broadcast nationally throughout the country. Though he continues to perform in concert, he now devotes his efforts to playing in churches and for conferences of church musicians.
His first solo piano recording, American Tapestry, was nominated for a Dove Award. This album, along with his other recordings (Songs of the Journey, Celtic Tapestry, and A Christmas Tapestry) has been enormously popular in the sacred and secular markets. He has recorded for Yamaha's Disklavier series and has composed hundreds of commissioned works.
Recognized throughout the United States for his many choral compositions, both sacred and secular, Joseph's music is published by numerous publishing houses. Over a thousand compositions are currently in print and the list continues to grow.
His composition
Pieta
was recently honored with an award from the John Ness Beck Foundation. In 2008 he was inducted as a National Patron of the Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity.
Along with Mark Hayes and David Angerman, Joseph has co-authored a fully graded, progressive piano method for the Christian student called Keys for the Kingdom. His major works include 27 choral cantatas and Song of Wisdom, a choral tone poem based on the best-selling children's book, Old Turtle.
His music can be heard in such diverse locations as Carnegie Hall in New York City; the Lawrence Welk Theatre in Branson, Missouri; and in hundreds of worship services in churches across the United States and Canada. He continues to surprise audiences with the variety and scope of his compositions and arrangements.
Joseph lives in Austin, Texas with his children Jonathan and Aubrey and his wife Sue.
E-Mail:JMMartin88@aol.com
Contacts may be made through:
Shawnee Press
421 East Iris Drive, Suite 202
Nashville, TN 37204
Courtney, Vicki
A classical piano background that began at the age of four coupled with extensive choral accompanying and studies at North Texas State University led to a career that includes choral composition and arranging. As a member of ASCAP and ACDA, Vicki currently writes full time while giving private piano lessons. Her talents are also in demand as she is routinely invited to play church services and choral concerts. Vicki resides outside of Houston in Simonton, Texas.
Baruch Cohon has served as rabbi and/or cantor in California congregations including 11 years at Valley Beth Israel, 21 years at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills , and as lecturer and discussion leader for University of Judaism , Hebrew Union College , and Jewish Centers of L.A. He received his BA from UCLA, studying arranging and film orchestration with Boris Kremenliev while majoring in Motion Pictures. He studied cantorial music with A. Z. Idelsohn and Jacob Beimel, and received rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Dr. Henoch Singer. He was musical editor on the 3rd edition of Idelsohn’s Jewish Song Book, and wrote “The Structure of the Synagogue Prayer Chant” for the American Musicological Society Journal.
His recordings include Generation to Generation (SCB Records), The Complete Passover Sing-along Seder and You Can’t Lose ’em All (Worldwide Success Records). His book “Songs for my People” was published in 2007.
Contacts may be made through:
Shawnee Press
421 East Iris Drive, Suite 202
Nashville, TN 37204
McGuire, Kathleen
Australian-born, Dr. Kathleen McGuire is a conductor, composer, educator, and author. She has conducted major choral, operatic and orchestral projects in Australia, England and the United States since the early 1980s, and has served as the Artistic Director and Conductor of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus since 2000. She is also the Conductor of the Oakland-based Community Women’s Orchestra. Her arrangements and compositions have been performed extensively, including performances by choirs at international festivals in Canada, USA, and Australia, and on award-winning recordings by renowned ensembles including the Turtle Creek Chorale. She studied composition with Barry Conyngham and Peter Tahourdin, and her Master’s dissertation concentrated on the music of John Rutter. She describes the British choral tradition as a strong influence in her choral writing.
Dr. McGuire earned the Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a Master of Music Degree with Distinction from the University of Surrey, UK, and holds further qualifications in conducting, composition, and music education from the University of Melbourne, Monash University, and the Victorian College of the Arts in Australia. Dr. McGuire has received numerous awards, including the Rotary International Ambassadorial Fellowship, inclusion in the National Music Honors Society, and her biography is listed in Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who of American Women. Her compositions and arrangements are published by Shawnee Press and Yelton Rhodes Music Publishing, among others, and she is a member of ASCAP.
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Shawnee Press
421 East Iris Drive, Suite 202
Nashville, TN 37204
Burrows, Mark
Mark Burrows received his undergraduate degree in music education from Southern Methodist University and his graduate degree in conducting from Texas Christian University. Mark is currently the Director of Fine Arts at First United Methodist Church – Fort Worth. He directs choral ensembles of all ages and oversees programs in visual arts and theater. Prior to his work in Fort Worth, Mark was a music teacher at Stephen C. Foster Elementary School in Dallas, Texas.
Mark has written music and curriculum for numerous major publishers. His song collections, including Groovin’ with the Grimms, the Gettin’ Down with Mama Goose series, and Yo! Leonardo, the first in his Smarty Pants series, top many best-seller lists, as do his percussion resources, which include The Accidental Drum Circle and The Body Electric. Mark also writes extensively for video, television and the stage.
Known to many little listeners as “Mister Mark,” he tours nationally, presenting high-energy family concerts. Mark’s CDs, You’ve Got A Song and Go Ape!, have won several awards for children’s music.
Mark resides in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife, Nina, and daughters, Emma and Grace.
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Shawnee Press
421 East Iris Drive, Suite 202
Nashville, TN 37204
Schreiber, Todd
Todd Schreiber, originally from Ohio City, OH, resides in Lambertville, MI, and is currently in his 20th year as K-12 vocal music teacher for Whiteford Schools in Ottawa Lake, MI. He holds a bachelor's degree in music education from Bowling Green State University and a master's degree in music education from VanderCook College in Chicago. Todd has worked extensively throughout northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan as an accompanist, performer, vocal coach, choreographer and musical theatre director. He also serves as director of BGSU and Muskingum College Summer Musical Theatre Camps. Todd serves as a full board member of the Michigan School Vocal Music Association is an active member of ACDA.
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Mack, Valerie
Valerie Lippoldt Mack, lead instructor of music at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas received a Bachelor of Arts from Bethany College, a Bachelor of Music Education and Master’s of Music Education from Wichita State University. Valerie has gained experience and recognition as a music educator and professional choreographer throughout the United States. Her choreography has been featured at Carnegie Hall, Disney World, national ACDA conventions and MENC workshops. A noted clinician, adjudicator and director, she has presented and adjudicated more than 500 workshops and festivals, including the Shawnee Press annual Music in the Mountains event. She and her husband Tom, direct the annual Butler Showchoir Showcase each summer in El Dorado, Kansas.
At Butler Community College, Valerie directs the 100-voice Butler Concert Choir, the Butler Headliners Showchoir, the Smorgaschords Barbershop Quartet, and teaches tap dance and private voice. The barbershop quartet continuously places at the International Collegiate Barbershop Competition. Valerie was honored as the Butler Master Teacher, has delivered commencement addresses, and is in demand as a motivational speaker for numerous events.
In her spare time, Valerie teaches at the Kansas Dance Academy, directs the Risen Savior Lutheran Church Choir, is a talent coach for the Miss America program, and is involved with family activities. Valerie and Tom reside in Wichita, Kansas with their two children, Stevie and Zane.
Her game and activities books at Shawnee Press include:
IceBreakers: 60 Fun Activities to Build a Better Choir (M0750)
IceBreakers 2: 64 MORE Games and Fun Activities (M0762 - Available Spring 2009)
Olympic Games for the Music Classroom (M0751)
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Contacts may be made through:
Shawnee Press
421 East Iris Drive, Suite 202
Nashville, TN 37204
Fiftal, Lois
Lois Fiftal has a B.M.E. in music education from Grove City College in Pennsylvania , a M.S. in music from Western Connecticut State University , and a Certification in Orff Schulwerk from the University of Connecticut . She has taught classroom and choral music in the Connecticut public schools for over 20 years specializing in K–8, and is active in children’s theater, composing songs and musicals as well as church anthems and pageants for elementary and middle school students. She has original materials published by Silver Burdett/Ginn Publishing, Alfred Publishing, and Shawnee Publishing Company.
Ms. Fiftal has developed original approaches to teaching classroom music and has worked with the Connecticut State Department of Education, developing the National Standards for the Arts. She has also served on various committees at the state level in forming State Curriculum Guidelines in music.
In her capacity as a music education consultant, Ms. Fiftal presents workshops throughout the country in music education and music theater. She also is a frequent guest conductor for elementary and middle school regional and district choral festivals in several states.
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Shawnee Press
421 East Iris Drive, Suite 202
Nashville, TN 37204
English, Tina
Tina English is an ASCAP composer with over 200 published choral anthems, musicals, hymns, children’s songs and works recorded by the Imperials, Larnelle Harris and other artists. She is also a recording artist, studio singer and educator, as well as a choral clinician. She has been the recipient of several ASCAP Special Awards. She received an Artist in Education appointment from the Texas Commission on the Arts in 1991. In addition, she is a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Tina lives in McKinney, Texas with her husband, Dr. James Davis. They have three children.
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Contacts may be made through:
Shawnee Press
421 East Iris Drive, Suite 202
Nashville, TN 37204
Moore, Sarah
Sarah Moore is a studio vocalist, composer and producer in Orlando, Florida. She has written and recorded over 500 Christian children’s songs through a host of different publishers. Her compositions are also found in schools, theme parks, on cruise ships, at corporate events and on television. Honors and awards for Sarah’s work include Parent’s Choice Awards, The Communicator Award, Mom’s Choice Award, iParenting Media Award, ASCAP Special Awards, Platinum records and more.
Sarah is actively involved in the music ministry of College Park Baptist Church, as soloist, choir member and leader. Her impassioned compositions reflect her heart for worship and service, her expert musicianship, and her knowledge of the unique challenges and blessings of working with vocalists of all ages and levels of ability.
Contacts may be made through:
Shawnee Press
421 East Iris Drive, Suite 202
Nashville, TN 37204
Wright, Paul
Paul Leddington Wright received his bachelor's and Master's degrees from St Catharine's College, Cambridge University, England where he was the organ scholar. He studied with David Willcocks, Peter le Huray and Peter Hurford. Following university, he spent three years as Musical Director in the professional theatre working in London's West End and all round the country. From 1984-1995 he was Organist and Director of Music at Coventry Cathedral, during which time he toured extensively with the Cathedral Choir, during one of the trips to the USA. Extensive broadcasting for radio and television was a part of the busy Cathedral music programme. It was during this time that he became associated with the International Church Music Festival of which he has been Artistic Director since 1991.
In 1995, he accepted a part-time position at Coventry Cathedral as Associate Director of Music in order to pursue a very busy career with BBC television and radio, as well as an increasingly active life as a composer and arranger.
He is also currently Associate Conductor with the ESO Symphony Orchestra as well as Musical Director for the Saint Michael's Singers, Coventry, with whom he has just recorded his 15th CD.
In 2007, he was commissioned to compose a cantata to commemorate the tri-centennial birthday of Charles Wesley. Praise the Lord! Has received many performances in both the UK and USA.
He was guest conductor for Belmont University's 2007 Christmas at Belmont which was recorded in Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Centre, and broadcast nationwide on PBS Christmas 2007 and 2008.
He receives several commissions every year, and is constantly arranging for BBC 1 Television's weekly series, Songs of Praise.
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Contacts may be made through:
Shawnee Press
421 East Iris Drive, Suite 202
Nashville, TN 37204
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