Our new director is Dr. Michael Martin! He has been a long time friend and partner of the choral program at Pinecrest High School and looks forward to continuing the legacy of great traditions and choral music at Pinecrest High School!
Dr. Michael D. Martin hails from the great state of Maine and is returning to the Cumberland Choral Arts (CCA) having served as artistic director from 2008-2017. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Maine. He completed his Ph.D. in Music Education with an emphasis in choral education through Kent State University, Kent, OH. He has taught in grades 4-12, in the capacity of the choral, band, and orchestral education positions throughout ME, NH, and MA. He has received recognition as a teacher and conductor, having been the recipient of several teaching awards, serving as a guest conductor, vocal clinician, and a judge for several New England, Midwestern, and East Coast festivals. His past student performing ensembles (SATB, SSAA, TTBB) have received both regional and national awards for their performances.
Dr. Martin has also enjoyed a rich involvement in conducting community choral groups in NH and ME. In 2001, he created a semi-professional chorus, The New Vocal Collective, in central New Hampshire recording one compact disc. He also conducted the Portland Downeasters, a Portland, ME-based barbershop chorus, which became one of the top four choruses in the Northeastern District in 2002-2004. He received national attention with his championship barbershop quartet The Management (1986-2003) by touring New England schools in support of music programs. For this work promoting youth involvement in music, the quartet shared the National Education Service Award sponsored by MENC and SPEBSQSA (now Barbershop Harmony Society). He also received distinction as the recipient of Distinguished Choral Director of the Year from the Maine Chapter of ACDA. He is the immediate past Artistic Director of the Cumberland Oratorio Singers (now CCA) who were Finalists for the American Prize in Community Chorus Performance and inducted into the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame. Dr. Martin is also the first recipient of the Union-Zukowski Endowed Professor in the Fine Arts while at Methodist University.
Interestingly, Dr. Martin served as the Artistic Director of the Cumberland Oratorio Singers from 2008 to 2017. He returned in 2020 to the newly formed Cumberland Choral Arts after a two-year hiatus. Until recently, he was the Director of Choral Activities and Orchestra, Coordinator of Music Education, and Coordinator of Fine Arts Management at Methodist University. His college groups toured the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, and from Orlando to Boston. Additionally, they recorded 2 CDs: A Yuletide Keepsake and Legacy. He is now the Director of Choirs at Pinecrest High School beginning this fall 2023 where he will conduct their Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and Bella Voce (women’s chorus). He also serves as the Member-at-Large in High Education for the NC Music Educator’s Association and on the board of the NC-ACDA as co-Chair of the NC Collegiate Festival Chorus. He lives in Fayetteville with his wife, Amanda, his son David, and daughter, Meredith.
Dr. Martin has also enjoyed a rich involvement in conducting community choral groups in NH and ME. In 2001, he created a semi-professional chorus, The New Vocal Collective, in central New Hampshire recording one compact disc. He also conducted the Portland Downeasters, a Portland, ME-based barbershop chorus, which became one of the top four choruses in the Northeastern District in 2002-2004. He received national attention with his championship barbershop quartet The Management (1986-2003) by touring New England schools in support of music programs. For this work promoting youth involvement in music, the quartet shared the National Education Service Award sponsored by MENC and SPEBSQSA (now Barbershop Harmony Society). He also received distinction as the recipient of Distinguished Choral Director of the Year from the Maine Chapter of ACDA. He is the immediate past Artistic Director of the Cumberland Oratorio Singers (now CCA) who were Finalists for the American Prize in Community Chorus Performance and inducted into the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame. Dr. Martin is also the first recipient of the Union-Zukowski Endowed Professor in the Fine Arts while at Methodist University.
Interestingly, Dr. Martin served as the Artistic Director of the Cumberland Oratorio Singers from 2008 to 2017. He returned in 2020 to the newly formed Cumberland Choral Arts after a two-year hiatus. Until recently, he was the Director of Choral Activities and Orchestra, Coordinator of Music Education, and Coordinator of Fine Arts Management at Methodist University. His college groups toured the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, and from Orlando to Boston. Additionally, they recorded 2 CDs: A Yuletide Keepsake and Legacy. He is now the Director of Choirs at Pinecrest High School beginning this fall 2023 where he will conduct their Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and Bella Voce (women’s chorus). He also serves as the Member-at-Large in High Education for the NC Music Educator’s Association and on the board of the NC-ACDA as co-Chair of the NC Collegiate Festival Chorus. He lives in Fayetteville with his wife, Amanda, his son David, and daughter, Meredith.