Dr. John Simons- Artistic Director/Conductor Dr. John E. Simons serves as Associate Professor of Choral and Church Music Studies, Director of Graduate Music Studies, and Director of the Townsend-McAfee Institute for Church Music Studies at Mercer University’s Townsend School of Music.  A community arts activist, Simons also serves as the founding conductor/artistic director of the Mercer University Children’s Choir Program and artistic director/conductor of the Choral Society of Middle Georgia.  As well, Simons serves as the Coordinating Editor of Celebrating Grace: Hymnal for Baptist Worship (to be published in 2010 as a collaborative initiative of the Townsend-McAfee Institute and Mercer University Press).   Dr. Simons holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University, a Master of Music degree from Baylor University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  His mentors in choral conducting were Hugh Sanders, Euell Porter, Richard Cox, Hilary Apfelstadt, and William P. Carroll.  Prior to coming to Mercer University, Simons served as a college professor and conductor in North Carolina and Oklahoma, a full-time minister of music in Tennessee and North Carolina, and public school choral music and drama teacher in Texas and North Carolina.  An advocate of community music and the arts, Dr. Simons founded/created the Mercer University Children’s Choir Program, the Georgia CBF All-State Youth Choir, the Townsend Church Music Camerata, the Southern Piedmont Children's Choir Program in Asheboro, North Carolina, the North Carolina United Methodist All-State Youth Choir, the Brevard College Sacred Music Project, and the Church Music Camerata at Oklahoma Baptist University.  He is an active choral clinician and church music consultant, and has published articles concerning worship, church leadership, and the cambiata or changing voice.   Dr. Simons is married to professional flutist and children's music specialist, Ellen Camille Simons, and together they have four children: Thomas (18), David (15), Jessica (10), and Christina (2).  In addition to family, college, and church activities, Dr. Simons enjoys golf, equestrian activities, and baseball.   Contact Information: Dr. John E. Simons            Email: Simons_JE@mercer.edu Mercer University, 1400 Coleman Ave., Macon, GA 31207 Office telephone: (478) 301-4012 .

Melanie Cross -- Accompanist

Melanie Cross is a recent graduate of Mercer University with a Masters of Music degree.  She also attended Mercer for her undergrad where she received a BA in music in 2005.  Miss Cross is both an active singer and collaborative pianist performing throughout Georgia but primarily focuses her time on teaching.   She has a private studio for voice and piano students.  She is also the campus minister at Wesleyan College for their Baptist Collegiate Ministries organization.  Melanie is a member of Vineville Baptist Church and a native of Montezuma, Georgia.