People

Ellen Peterson

Conductor

Ellen Peterson is a native of North Carolina and graduate of North Davidson High School. She is entering her twenty-second year as a high school choral director, currently teaching at Oak Grove High School in Winston Salem, NC. Ellen directs the adult choir and handbells at First Reformed UCC in Lexington, NC. She received her Bachelors in Music Education from the University of North Carolina - Greensboro where she also completed the Teaching Fellows Program. Ellen has students participate in choral festivals across the state and has also served as an adjudicator for the NC Music Educators Association Music Performance Adjudication events. She is currently serving as secretarty of the High School Choral Board for NCMEA. Ellen lives in Lexington with her husband, Jeremy, and son, Lucas. She enjoys quilting and traveling in her spare time.

Steve Stringer

Accompanist

Stephen Stringer is a versatile musician known for his adaptability at the keyboard and his deep understanding of music theory, which allows him to move fluidly across genres—from classical and jazz to rock and pop. Originally from Philadelphia, he accompanied the Archdiocesan Boy Choir for over a decade, performing on international tours and recordings. He also spent eight years as a touring musician with a rock band, further broadening his musical range and experience.

While he loves all styles of music, Stephen holds a special place in his heart for choral and vocal music. He earned his Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and currently serves as the resident organist at Jamestown United Methodist Church. He is also an adjunct professor of music at High Point University, where he teaches music improvisation, conducts the Men’s Chorus, and serves as a collaborative pianist.

Outside of his professional life, Stephen enjoys woodworking, building computers, and—most importantly—being a proud dad to his two amazing kids. He is honored to make music this season with the Lexington Choral Society, an ensemble whose passion for choral excellence mirrors his own.

Conductor Emeritus

Conductor Emeritus Jo Ann Poston Hill co-founded the Lexington Choral Society and served as its conductor for 35 years. She is also a retired faculty member of Davidson County Community College, and most recently retired as Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church.

Dr. Hill holds a BMEd degree from James Madison University, and MM and DMA degrees from UNCG. Her studies are now concentrated on the fine art of shagging.

Jo Ann Poston

Co-Founder

Lexington Choral Society co-founder, Bea McCrary, realized a longtime desire to form a women’s choral group when she and fellow co-founder, JoAnn Poston Hill, formulated their plan in the early 70s.

Bea had studied voice under Elizabeth Hamrick at Salem College. In the late 50s, she persuaded Hamrick, then retired, to come to Lexington and teach voice in her living room to high school students who wished to be classically trained.

Bea was a member of the First United Methodist Church choir for 42 years. She was known for her beautiful solos, especially her rendition of the contralto solos in Handel’s Messiah. She served as president and was a life member of the Euterpe Music Club, as well as a longtime member of the NC Symphony Society.

In the mid 60s, she suggested to fellow members of the Lexington Woman’s Club that they present the musical Oklahoma as their annual fundraiser. This started a tradition of musical theater in Lexington and helped spearhead the creation of Lexington’s Friends of the Theater.

Although Alzheimer’s claimed her voice, her passion for beautiful music for the community that she loved lives on today through the Lexington Choral Society.

Bea McCrary

Executive Committee

Marc Bryan, President

Jessie Lockwood, Vice President

Florice Rowe, Secretary

Mary Ann Sowers, Treasurer

Cheri Murray, Librarian

Melonie Rector, Business Manager

Page updated

Report abuse