MUSIC DIRECTOR

Tish Davenport was born at Homestead AFB, FL and grew up in Baton Rouge, LA, Hattiesburg, MS, and Little Rock, AR.  She has a rich and varied background in music, beginning from childhood where she studied piano, theory, and elementary composition in her mother’s piano studio.  She also regularly sang and performed in the church choirs where her father was the choir director, and mother, the pianist and organist.  (Usually Tish sang whatever voice part was missing or needed reinforcement on Sunday morning, which was frequently tenor.)  In Junior High, her natural affinity for the flute became evident and flute became her primary instrument.

After an amazing summer at Tanglewood (Boston Symphony Summer Series), studying in flute master classes with Leone Buyse and Doriot Anthony Dwyer, she entered Loyola University in New Orleans on a music scholarship as a flute performance major.  She served as principal flautist of the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Loyola’s Symphony Orchestra, and in her junior year performed Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto (transcribed for flute) with orchestra after winning the Concerto Competition.

After graduation, Tish joined the United States Marine Corps and spent 2 years with the Quantico Marine Band and two years with the Marine Forces Pacific Band in Kaneohe Bay, HI as principal flautist and pianist for different ensembles (jazz combo, big band, dance, rock, country). 

On doctors’ recommendation due to a jaw injury, Tish put down the flute and left the USMC with an honorable discharge to spend the next few years as a civilian in the business world, honing sales and people skills in the automotive industry and in the restaurant industry as well.  Wanting to bring music back into her life, she settled in Carrollton, TX and began studying voice with Prof. Barbara Hill-Moore at SMU.  She went into her first vocal lesson singing in a tenor range (the most comfortable singing range after all those years of singing tenor in church choirs) and came out having been informed that she was not a tenor at all, but in fact, a soprano!  It was with this newfound identity that she auditioned for and joined the Dallas Symphony Chorus in the 2007-2008 season.  In January 2007, Tish became the music minister at St. Mark’s as well.  She is still singing with the Dallas Symphony Chorus and is currently studying voice with Kathleen Terbeek, studying Alexander Technique (for healthy breathing habits and vocal technique) with Phyllis Richmond, all in addition to finishing up her Masters Degree in Music Theory at UNT. 

Childrens Choir

Our Children's Choir, ages 3-12, meets once a week on Sunday mornings at 9:45am. They sing in the worship service several times a year and join the Chancel Choir for special seasonal presentations as well. Anyone is welcome to join us for one Sunday only or regularly! We sing a variety of traditional children's songs as well as new music.

Chancel Choir

Our Chancel Choir, ages 13 and up, meets on Wednesday evenings for rehearsal from 6:30-7:45pm and sings every Sunday in the 11:00 Worship Service. They enjoy social activities as well as serious music making - our door is always open for anyone that wishes to join us! The Chancel Choir will be off for the month of July but will resume singing in the services August 1st, 2010 with the first Wednesday night rehearsal on August 4th, 2010.

Handbell Choir

This group of dedicated individuals plays seasonally. Rehearsals will begin again in August on Wednesday evenings following the Chancel Choir. The Handbell Choir typically rehearses from 7:45 - 8:30pm unless extra preparation time is needed.

For further information contact Tish Davenport: tish@tishtech.com