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We the People ... United in Praise
"Festival Chorus"

Detailed Information

A. Eligibility

B. Application

C. Schedule

D. Communication


E. Music


F. Costs


G. Hotel accommodations


H. Additional Conference Events

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General Information
Application Form

Craig Courtney
Craig Courtney

A native of Indiana, Craig Courtney began playing the piano at the age
of three and the cello at the age of eleven. He received a Bachelors and a Masters in piano performance at the University of Cincinnati, studying piano under Raymond Dudley and chamber music under Walter Levin of the LaSalle Quartet.

Following a three-year stay in Milan, Italy, where Mr. Courtney studied the piano with Illonka Deckers, performed for the Associazione Musicale "Gustav Mahler", and worked extensively as a vocal coach, he was invited to join the music faculty of the famed Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, serving as piano teacher and accompanist for the woodwind and brass department.

It was during this six-year period, while serving in the music ministry of the Salzburg International Baptist Church, that Mr. Courtney began directing a church choir and composing sacred choral music, due to the unavailability of English language music.

In 1985, his compositions came to the attention of John Ness Beck, through the publication of his octavo, Thy Will Be Done, initiating a close working relationship between the two men which continued until Mr. Beck's death in 1987. In making plans for the ongoing business of Beckenhorst Press, Mr. Beck appointed Craig Courtney to assume his responsibilities as staff composer and editor.

At this point in time, Mr. Courtney's published works include over 70 sacred choral octavos, five vocal collections, and four extended works for choir and orchestra. Compositionally, Mr. Courtney combines his training and background as a pianist, cellist, vocal coach, accompanist, and a choral director to create works that bear his unique style.

In demand throughout the country as a choral clinician and featured composer, Craig Courtney now resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, Susan, and his three sons, Christopher, Matthew and Nathan.


Joshua Stafford, Organ Accompaniment

Joshua StaffordJoshua Stafford is full scholarship student at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music where he is a fourth year student of Alan Morrison. In October 20008, he was appointed Assistant Director of Music at the Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr, PA, where he works closely with the Bryn Mawr Boychoir and Girlchoir as well as the Redeemer and Chancel choirs.

Joshua has performed recitals across the country, including postlude concerts for the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and l'Orchestre National de France on the country's largest new concert hall organ at Philadelphia's Kimmel Center. He has also been a regular performer on the world's largest outdoor organ, the Massey Memorial Organ at Chautauqua Institution, and the world's largest organ, the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ at Macy's in Philadelphia. In may 2007, Joshua traveled with the Curtis organ department to Paris, France, where he had the rare opportunity to play many of the city's beautiful and historic organs, including an evening at the famous organ of Notre Dame Cathedral.

A native of Jamestown, NY, Joshua began piano studies at the age of six. His interest in the organ was sparked at a Pipe Organ Excursion held by the Chautauqua AGO chapter that he attended at the age of ten. Joshua's previous teachers include Jared Jacobsen of Chautauqua Institution, and James Bigham of Holy Trinity Lutheran, Buffalo, NY. Former positions include Organist of St. Luke's Episcopal in Jamestown, NY, and the Episcopal Church of St. John in Bala Cynwyd, PA, and Organ Scholar at the historic Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge, PA.

Thomas Berdos, Piano Accompaniment

Thomas BerdosThomas R. Berdos earned the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and the Master of Music degree in Music Performance at the University of Lowell, where he was the winner of the university’s 1981 Concerto Competition.  He has performed as a pianist in Asia, South America, and in locations throughout the United States. He has taught on the faculties of Franklin Pierce College, Taylor University, Nyack College, and Bergen Community College.  Mr. Berdos is on the music faculty of The Pingry School in Short Hills, NJ, where he also maintains a private piano studio.  Mr. Berdos has served on numerous occasions as a guest conductor at the Ocean Grove Choir Festivals in Ocean Grove, NJ.  In addition to his performing career, Mr. Berdos has published a number of works for solo piano and piano ensemble.  He is on the advisory board of the New Jersey Youth Chorus, and serves the ACDA as the New Jersey R&S Chair for Music in Worship.  Mr. Berdos is the Director of Music Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Mendham, NJ. Working together with his organist wife Deborah Berdos, he conducts the Sanctuary Choir and other choral and instrumental ensembles.  Mr. and Mrs. Berdos have held music ministry positions at a number of churches on the East Coast and in the Midwest.  They make their home in Chatham, NJ.

 


For further information, contact Ken Steele at
krsteele45@comcast.net

 

Last revised June 26, 2010