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CONFERENCE PROGRAM

February 1-3, 2024

Hey folks,

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Welcome to Rock Hill, South Carolina and welcome to the 2024 Polyphony Music Resources annual conference! I hope that for these few days you will give yourself permission to let go of some things that weigh you down and open yourself to others, to new friends, new ideas, to the Spirit who invites us to breathe, bless and be well. Our theme is “The Call: Reclaiming Our Deep Passion."

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Doug Haney 

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2025 Conference

Save the Date

Thursday-Saturday, February 6-8
Smoke Rise Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia
Danny Vancil, Minister of Music

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We’re excited to announce these presenters are already confirmed!

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Meg Granum Gurtcheff

Director of Music and Worship, Johns Creek UMC, Alpharetta, GA

Meg holds a Bachelors in Church Music, Conducting emphasis, from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. Her Masters in Sacred Music, Choral Conducting emphasis, is from Emory University. And her Doctor of Musical Arts, Choral Conducting, is from the University of Kentucky. She has been involved in church music her entire life. From a love of crafting liturgy, to her interest in both choral groups of all kinds and ages, and orchestras, Meg embodies both the breadth of knowledge, and the passion for, everything that our Music & Worship ministry encompasses.

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In addition to being a conductor, Meg sings soprano, and plays viola, violin, and Hardanger Fiddle (a Norwegian folk instrument). She holds membership in a number of professional associations directly related to her areas of expertise.

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Originally from Athens, GA, many of her family members are UGA grads (go Dawgs!). She herself always cheers for UGA.

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In her spare time, Meg enjoys reading, walking, and all things Disney. And as someone with Celiac Disease (which means she can’t eat gluten), but who also loves pasta and chicken nuggets, she keeps dozens of gluten substitutes and favorite gluten- free treats in the family kitchen. Like Dove chocolate!

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Toney Keeler

Director of Music, Northside Baptist Church, Clinton, MS & Director of Choral Activities, Northwest Rankin High School, Jackson, MS

Toney Keeler, a native of Lumberton, Mississippi holds degrees in Music Education from William Carey University. He is entering his fifth year as Director of Choral Activities at Northwest Rankin High School where he conducts the Resonance Concert Choir, Revolution A Capella Ensemble, Renaissance Concert Choir, and Madrigal Ensemble, and the Rhapsody and Reflection Show Choirs. Toney is an avid cook, enjoys playing the piano, and Starbucks.

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Eric Nelson

Director of Choral Studies, Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Eric Nelson is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at Emory University. He is also the conductor and Artistic Director of Atlanta Master Chorale. Dr. Nelson’s choirs have performed throughout the world, including London, Rome, Krakow, Berlin, Leipzig, Prague, Moscow, Seoul, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Sydney Opera House.

He has conducted choirs at eight American Choral Directors Association conventions, including Atlanta Master Chorale’s performance at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis for the National Convention in 2017, and the Emory Concert Choir’s performance at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall for the National Convention in 2011.

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In the summer of 2016, to the astonishment of all who know him, he appeared with Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones at Bobby Dodd Stadium, leading the Concert Choir in the classic “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”

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Most recently, in May of 2017, he embarked with the Emory Concert Choir on a performance tour to Spain and Portugal where they sang in Granada, Seville, Lisbon and at the Alhambra.

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Dr. Nelson’s ensembles are characterized by the performance of repertoire in a wide variety of styles and for their ability to fuse technical precision with warmth of musical expression. He appears regularly as clinician, lecturer, and guest conductor for honor choirs, conventions, symposiums, workshops, and all-state choral festivals. Nelson is also past president of the GA ACDA.

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Dr. Nelson’s choral compositions and arrangements are sung regularly by ensembles throughout the United States. He is the editor of the “Atlanta Master Chorale Choral Series,” a division of Morningstar Music Publishers and ECSchirmer. His compositions are also published by Colla Voce and Augsburg Fortress. He holds degrees in voice and conducting from Houghton College, Westminster Choir College, and Indiana University.

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