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Music Staff

Michael S. Murray
Organist & Choirmaster
  

The parish’s music program (with the exception of the Children's Choir) is under the direction of Michael S. Murray, originally from Queensland, Australia.  He holds advanced degrees in organ (with distinction) from the Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA where he studied organ with Peter Sykes.  Previous studies in organ have been undertaken with Stefan Engels (Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ) and also David Rumsey (Conservatorium of Music, Sydney, Australia).  Study in Organ Improvisation has primarily been undertaken with Dorothy J. Papadakos (Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, New York, NY).  Study in choral conducting has been primarily undertaken with Dr. James Jordan and Jeffrey Rinck.

In addition to his duties as a sacred musician, he maintains a demanding solo recital schedule, performing in major venues throughout America, Europe and Australia.  He has appeared in recital at numerous national conventions, including the American Institute of Organbuilders, the International Society of Organbuilders, and the Anglican Association of Musicians, and has performed in such esteemed venues as the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, New York, NY, Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C., Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Methuen, MA,  Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX, Old South Church, Boston, MA, Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Boston, MA, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne, Australia, Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, Australia, and many others.  His performances are regularly heard on 3MBS-FM (Melbourne, Australia) and WCRB-FM (Boston, MA) radio broadcasts.  

He has won numerous awards, including first place in the prestigious "1999 Herbert Davis Organ Competition", Australia's richest national organ competition.  

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Mary Reynders
Director, Children's Choir


 

The Redeemer Children's Choir is under the direction of Mary Reynders.  She holds Music degrees in Cello Performance from Morehead State University and the University of Texas, where she studied with Phyllis Young.  Mary also received her Teaching Certification from UT-Austin.  While working on her doctorate, Mary was involved as a teacher in the University of Texas String Project and later became the youngest person to be appointed Assistant Director of that nationally renowned program.  Both as a performer and teacher, Mary is equally dedicated to achieving high standards in music.

Before moving to New England, Mary was a member of the Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe Symphony and the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. Mary’s teaching and conducting experience include:  Conductor of the Santa Fe Youth Symphony and Director of Orchestras at La Cueva High School and Eisenhower Middle School in Albuquerque, NM. Under her direction her orchestras achieved an ambitious musical path and enviable record that includes Superior ratings at Music Festivals and first place trophies at all out-of-state competitions entered.  Perhaps a highlight of Mary’s teaching career was having her Orchestra selected as one of the top two High School Orchestras in the nation. Her orchestra was showcased in a performance at the International Band & Orchestra Clinic.  As a result Mary was presented “Music Teacher of the Year” award for her contributions in the field of Music Education.

Presently Mary enjoys being Orchestra director at the Franklin School, Newton Public Schools.  In addition to these responsibilities, she is the accompanist for the 4^th and 5^th Grade Choirs at the Franklin School.  Mary feels that the training she received in String Pedagogy and in General Music while studying at UT-Austin, has had a great effect on her teaching and the success of her musical groups.  Now as director of the Redeemer Children's Choir, Mary enjoys sharing her love of children and music with our youth.

379 Hammond Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
tel 617-566-7679, office@redeemerchestnuthill.org