Shawn Kirchner, composer/arranger

With the Chorale: 9 seasons as a member of the tenor section

Hometown: Cedar Falls, Iowa

Education: MA in Choral Conducting (University of Iowa), BA in Peace Studies (Manchester College)

Bluegrass/Country/Jazz: in 2006 Kirchner wrote and recorded Meet Me on the Mountain, a set of original songs inspired by the film Brokeback Mountain (available through CDBaby.com); also writes original jazz tunes performed regularly by the Shawn Kirchner Quartet and other area jazz artists

Christmas: in 2004 Kirchner was music director for Enter the Light of Life, a CBS Christmas Eve special which featured his choral and instrumental arrangements; a subsequent commission by Juniata College augmented this body of Christmas choral arrangements, many of which have been featured on LAMC Holiday Wonders concerts

Awards and Honors: Top Honors in University of Oregon's “Waging Peace Through Singing” choral composition contest for Rain Come Down, written following the Columbine school tragedy

Published by: Boosey & Hawkes and Santa Barbara Music Publishing; after the LAMC premiere of his new piece Heavenly Home: Three American Songs in May, 2010, Boosey & Hawkes elected to publish this work, along with two Christmas favorites heard on previous Holiday Wonders concerts: Silent Night and Brightest & Best

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John Rutter, composer

Born: September 24, 1945 in London

Education: attended the Highgate School at the same time as John Tavener; studied music at Clare College, Cambridge

Conductor: a popular guest conductor and clinician all over the world; in 1981 he founded the ensemble The Cambridge Singers, and that ensemble has recorded more than 30 albums of his compositions

Awards and honors: in 1988 a Fellow of the Guild of Church Musicians; in 1996 a Lambeth Doctorate of Music from the Archbishop of Canterbury in recognition of his contribution to church music; in 2007 a CBE from Queen Elizabeth for services to music; in 2008 was made an honorary Bencher of the Middle Temple

Compositions: are mainly choral, including Christmas carols, anthems, and extended works such as his Gloria, Magnificat and Requiem

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John West, organ

Education: initial studies of the organ began at the age of 13 under the tutelage of Richard Purvis at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco; Master of Music degree with Honors from the New England Conservatory of Music

Solo appearances: the New York Philharmonic, Pasadena Symphony; featured artist at the American Guild of Organists’ Region IX Convention and the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Guild of Organists; international recitals in Russia, Canada, and South America; clinician for the American Guild of Organists’ 2004 National Convention

He has played: all the major instruments in Southern California including the Hazel Wright Organ at the Crystal Cathedral, the organ at First Congregational Church Los Angeles and a 2004 mini-recital at Walt Disney Concert Hall

Radio appearances: featured solo artist for the longest running radio show for the organ, Pipedreams, with Michael Barone, February 2000

Compositions: Fanfare on ‘Sine Nomine’ and Now Thank We All Our God published by Augsburg Fortress; Choral works published by Lawson-Gould, NY

Recordings: solo organ discs: Rev’d Up Organ! and The Roar of The Furies & The Sounds of Sirens

Current position: Organist in Residence at St. Thomas The Apostle, Hollywood

Upcoming: Featured Organist for the 100th year celebration of the American Guild of Organists, Los Angeles. June 2010

On the web: http://www.jdoubleu.com/organbio.html

Other musical accomplishments: accomplished session singer on hundreds of movie soundtracks and television shows; served as Chairman of the Singer Committee at the Screen Actors Guild, 2003-2006

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