Cumberland Oratorio Singers
People
Artistic Director and Conductor
Michael D. Martin hails from the great state of Maine. In 2007, he completed his doctoral studies and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Music Education with an emphasis in Choral Education through Kent State University, Kent, OH. He is the Director of Choral Activities and Music Education at Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC, and was appointed artistic director and conductor of Cumberland Oratorio Singers in 2008.
He has taught in grades 4-12, in the capacity of orchestral, choral, and instrumental education positions throughout New England. He has received recognition as a teacher and conductor, having been the recipient of several teaching awards, and serving as a guest conductor, vocal clinician, and judge for New England and Midwestern festivals. Mr. Martin has also conducted a semi-professional community choral group in New Hampshire and an award-winning barbershop chorus in Maine.
Both returning and prospective singers should attend a voice placement session on Aug 23 or 24. (Click here for schedule)
New singers (or returning singers unable to attend the weekend sessions) should come between 6:00 and 6:45 to one of the first three rehearsals of the semester for a voice placement audition. (COS membership is non-competitive.) New singers are accepted through the first three rehearsals for the fall or spring concerts. Returning singers who have missed a complete season need to audition again. Singers pay dues of $35 each season, or $65 for the full year. Dues include the cost of music, which is yours to keep. Rehearsals are held every Monday night from 7-9 p.m. in the chorus room (basement of Reeves Auditorium) on the Methodist University campus. Singers without a Methodist University parking sticker can just let the welcome center personnel know where you are going and they can direct you.
Artistic Director: Michael Martin
President: Mary Potter
Vice president: Kathy Dickson
Secretary: Jean Hermann
Treasurer: Dick Jarvies
Corresponding secretary: open
Publicity: Maureen Yearby
Grantwriter: John Fields
Historian: open
Webmaster: Arleen Fields
Members at large: John Campbell, Mary Ann Coffield, Doug Fox, Vera Malcolm, Sharon McNair, Robert Williams, Cynthia Billings (honorary)