The Bell Choir member names in order from left to right are:
Karen Barrow, Carol Weinhardt, Judith Glen, Joy Stouder, Dee Carr, Bonnie McKeon, Linda Westlin, Joyce Bethune, Penny Beers, Debbie Wych
CHANCEL CHOIR & HANDBELL CHOIR
The emotional power of music is a vital and moving aid to our worship. Music, quite apart from an associated text, is capable of evoking powerful emotions. Hearts are stirred and feet set to tapping by a rousing gospel number, while another melody can move people to tears. Singing lends dignity and grace to sacred actions and has the greatest value in kindling in our hearts an eagerness to pray. From joyful organ music, beautiful choral music comprised of members of the congregation and choral music interns from Northern Arizona University, and the ringing of the handbells and chimes, opportunities for all ages abound! The Church of the Red Rocks is blessed to have a Steinway concert grand piano and a Moller and Rodgers pipe organ with 89 ranks and a computer for additional voicings.
The Chancel Choir has approximately 30 members and 8 NAU Choral Music Interns. This choir rehearses on Sunday mornings from 8:30 am to 9:15 am throughout the year prior to the 9:30 am worship service.
The Church of the Red Rocks is fortunate to have a Handbell Choir which consists of five octaves of hand bells and chimes. The choir performs once a month for church services, plus special music at Christmas and Easter. The ensemble rehearses every Thursday (September through May) from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.
We hope that you will prayerfully consider joining one of our ensembles, which are open to all!
Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, The Church of the Red Rocks is fortunate to be able to hire choral music interns from Northern Arizona University to help support the church's weekly musical activities. These undergraduate students provide musical leadership and occasionally sing solos during the worship services.
2023-2024 Choral Music Interns
Zach Macdonald is a tenor from Mesa, Arizona, currently pursuing a double major in vocal performance and psychology at Northern Arizona University. He is the recipient of the National School Choral Award from Mountain View High School, an honor given to recognize the dedication and musical achievement of choral students. Zach performs in numerous ensembles, including The Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers, High Altitude Vocal Jazz, Shrine of the Ages, and Opera Theater at NAU. He has also been an active member of the Psychology Club at NAU for the past year, working to connect fellow psychology students to build a supportive and invested community. Outside of school, Zach enjoys songwriting, playing guitar, running outdoors, collecting vinyl records from his favorite bands and performers, and reading books about people's lives/life's work.
2022-2023 Interns
Back Row Logan Willson, Dakota Warren, Evan Braun, Alexander Kaus
Front Row Grace Andersen, Heather Drusedum, Osanah Manzo, Katelyn Mason
(New picture of 2023-2024 Interns coming soon)
Grace Andersen loves her time as an intern here at Church of the Red Rocks. She is a passionate musician and former four-year All-State Choir participant from Anthem, Arizona. She is currently studying Choral Music Education at NAU where she is proud to be a part of several ensembles including High Altitude Vocal Jazz, Shrine of the Ages, Vox Astra, and Elevation. She loves to share her love of music and recharge in nature.
Kyle Larsen is a third-year music education major at Northern Arizona University, where he sings in the Shrine of the Ages choir and the vocal jazz ensemble High Altitude. Before attending NAU, he was a student at Mesa Community College, where he performed with their concert and jazz ensembles, as well as with the Canto Vivo Chorale, Solis, Millennial Choirs and Orchestras, and Rob Gardner's Cinematic Pop Orchestra. Kyle was the winner of the 2023 Sonoran Desert Chorale Scholarship and had the opportunity to perform as their soloist this past spring. He has also been seen on the stage at Mesa Community College in productions of "Sweeny Todd," "The Addams Family," and "Something Rotten." Along with singing and performing, he also loves to play the piano. He last worked as a music coordinator and pianist for the Unity Church of Mesa, where he was able to collaborate with many artists around the valley. Kyle is excited to be part of the community here at the Church of the Red Rocks.
Katelyn Mason is a senior choral music education major at Northern Arizona University. Katelyn grew up in Las Cruces, NM where she participated in community and school orchestras and choirs throughout her childhood. She enjoys being an active member of the NAU Choral Program, having previously participated in Vox Astra and University Singers and various leadership positions. Currently, she is a member of Vox Astra and The Shrine of the Ages Choir, and serves as the Shrine of the Ages Council Secretary, Vox Astra Student Conductor, NAU ACDA Student Chapter President, and Jazz Madrigal Student Coordinator. Besides music, Katelyn spends her time cooking and baking. She loves finding new recipes and making dinners for her friends.
Mia Murray is a soprano originally from Glendale, Arizona studying Choral Music Education and Vocal Performance at Northern Arizona University. They are going into their third year of voice lessons with Christine Graham. Mia is so thankful for Christine’s dedication to helping them find their voice as a performer. Mia performs with collegiate ensembles such as High Altitude Vocal Jazz, Shrine of the Ages and serves as a section leader in Vox Astra. They are also a part of the Lyric Opera Theatre program, performing most recently in Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Mia is passionate about contemporary a cappella music and sings with the mixed-voice group on campus, NAU Elevation. In their 3 years in the group, they have served on the board as a choreographer, attire coordinator and now serves as the Executive Music Director. Outside of music, they love to cook vegetarian recipes and spend time with their cat, Apollo.
Adele Cora Schreiber is a sophomore choral music education major at Northern Arizona University. She is from Mesa, Arizona, and has been involved in music since before she was born. Adele enjoys singing soprano in a variety of ensembles including The Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers, NAU’s Shrine of the Ages, and High-Altitude Vocal Jazz. Along with her presence in a number of choirs, Adele is a member of the Arizona Choral Director’s Association, a student chapter focused on the importance of choral music education. In her spare time, she loves to cook, bake, crochet, sew, and spend time outdoors.
Dakota Warren (He/Him/His) is a fourth year student majoring in Strategic Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations. During his time at NAU he has been a part of several vocal ensembles, including NAU's Shrine of the Ages, Vox Montes, University singers, Highlander a cappella, and most recently High Altitude Vocal Jazz. As well he is involved in the Shrine of the Ages leadership council serving as internal community events co-chair. Post undergrad Dakota is hoping to work crisis Public Relations. Outside of classes and music you can typically find him disc golfing.
Logan Severson Willson is a bass, conductor, and composer from Tucson Arizona currently studying choral music at Northern Arizona University. He has received many accolades for his excellence performing with all of Arizona’s major Symphonies, at local and regional ACDA conferences, and as a conductor, soloist and choir member in several world premières. Logan performs professionally and collegiately with many award-winning ensembles including The Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers, High Altitude Vocal Jazz, and Shrine of The Ages, where he serves as section leader. As a composer, Logan is published through his own website and has seen most success writing for choir and solo voice, notably having a première of his song cycle Three English Images with The Nightingale Opera Theatre alongside Jake Heggie’s If I Were You. Currently, he enjoys his time as a choral intern at the Church of the Red Rocks. He is a student Bellmaster of the Harold M. Harter Memorial Handbell choir, as well as the conductor of the Kitt School of music composition studio, and music director of both the ACDA student chapter and Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Xi chapter at Northern Arizona University. Outside of music you can find him racing bicycles as a hobby.
