St. Matthew’s Lutheran church would like to invite our singing community, ages high school and above, to participate in a Choral Festival on February 2 & 3, 2024. This event is one of several in the 2023-2024 season celebrating the dedication of our new organ. The festival will include several rehearsals culminating in a concert directed by our Guest Conductor, Dr. Sheri Neil (above). 

Dr. Neill is past Professor and Chair of Music Education and associate director of choral activities at Texas Christian University. Neill received her Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City – Conservatory of Music, a Master of Education from Stephen F. Austin, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University. A specialist in music education, Dr. Neill has taught choral music at all levels in Virginia and Texas. She has been an adjudicator and guest conductor for choruses in Texas, the Midwest and the east coast and has conducted choirs at state and national music educators’ conventions.

Dr. Neill has presented workshops at TMEA, TCDA and NAfME. Her research has appeared in TMEA Research Journal, Update, Missouri Journal of Research Music Education and Council for Research in Music Education. She is past College Vice-president for TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) as well as VMEA (Virginia Music Educators Association). Dr. Neill is also the past TCU Senate Chair. In addition, she sang with the Robert Shaw Festival/institute Singers, Carnegie Hall Workshop Choruses and the Washington Singers. Sheri has four children, eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Currently she is studying Italian in Florence, Italy for a year or more…

The festival is open to singers of all musical abilities who enjoy being a part of a large ensemble. The program will include the following selections: Te Deum – Michael John Trotta (extended work with Organ and Brass); I Will Give Thanks – Craig Courtney; Over My Head – Mark Patterson; and Love Divine, All Loves Excelling – Dan Forrest. Music will be ordered once you complete the registration and payment. You will be notified by email when the packets are available (around November 30).

To help you prepare the music for the festival, links to rehearsal tracks will be added to the page by the end of November.

Please contact Melvin Goodwyn, organist, if you have any questions.

 Registration is now closed.

Festival Information and Schedule

Friday, February 2, 2024, 7PM-9PM – Rehearsal

Saturday, February 3, 2024, 9AM-4PM – Rehearsal; Lunch Provided

Saturday, February 3, 2024, 7PM – Concert (Open to the Public at No Charge)

Registration Fee – $25.00 (Includes Music Packet)

Registration Deadline – November 6, 2023