(TRENTON, NJ) -- Choir rehearsal halls may remain empty as musicians eagerly await an end to the global pandemic, but Trenton Children’s Chorus (TCC) continues to thrive as it engages its first inaugural Artistic Advisory Board in creative programming. At the invitation of Vinroy D. Brown, Jr., TCC’s new Artistic Director, leaders from all over the United States have agreed to actively support the organization in its mission to empower the academic, social, and spiritual lives of children through artistry in music.

"Understanding that the TCC experience for all (students and myself) could only be enhanced with further collaboration, I am grateful to our Board of Trustees who have allowed for the creation of TCC's first ever Artistic Advisory Board. I've called upon colleagues and mentors from literally around the country- all who are leading artists, educators, conductors and musicians of our generation- to align themselves with our mission and purpose. I am so grateful for the direct line we now have with this all-encompassing group of individuals,” says Mr. Brown.

One member of this new advisory board is Chaequan Anderson, Artistic Director, Glassbrook Vocal Ensemble in Ewing, NJ. Chaequan’s history with TCC, work with Princeton GirlChoir, and excellence as a music educator made him a natural fit for the position. Conversations between Mr. Anderson and Mr. Brown are leading toward live conducting opportunities for TCC students enrolled in the high school conducting elective during the 2020-2021 program year. The project will serve as the culminating assessment for the TCC conducting class later this spring. 

Another member of the new advisory board is Kansas native Alex Underwood, Artistic Director, Ad Astra Music Festival, KS. Mr. Underwood and Mr. Brown were colleagues during their tenure as students at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. On the docket is a project for TCC students to participate in the Ad Astra Music Festival’s virtual festival in summer 2021. 

“One of my hopes for my role as Artistic Director was to develop an Artistic Advisory Board. This non-voting party would be comprised of colleagues and mentors of mine from around the country. This group would serve as a ‘think tank’ for larger TCC ideas and offer them an opportunity to affiliate with us through their own organizations. I am grateful to Co-Presidents Jill Jackson Carr and Nora Schultz for offering their support in this endeavour,” says Mr. Brown. 

Trenton Children’s Chorus is pleased to welcome the following outstanding leaders to the inaugural Artistic Advisory Board:

Chaequan Anderson (NJ) Founder & Artistic Director, Glassbrook Vocal Ensemble 

Ramón Bryant Braxton (NY) Director of Music Ministries & Fine Arts, Abyssinian Baptist Church 

Sam Brukhman (TX) Artistic Director, Verdigris Ensemble 

Jamie L. Bunce (FL) DMA Candidate, Frost School of Music, University of Miami

Jason Max Ferdinand, DMA (AL)  Professor, Chair of Music & Director of Choral Activities, Oakwood University

Marques L. A. Garrett, Ph.D. (NE) Assistant Professor of Music in Choral Activities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Dr. A Nathaniel Gumbs (CT)  Director of Chapel Music, Yale University

Phillip Harris, DMA (CA) Vocal Music Director, Head-Royce School 

Lynnel Joy Jenkins, DMA (NJ) Artistic Director, Westrick Music Academy  - Home of Princeton Girlchoir and Boychoir

Wayne Mallette (NJ)  Supervisor of Fine Arts, Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District; President, Central Jersey Music Educators Association 

Dr. Rosephanye Powell (AL) Charles W. Barkley Endowed Professor & Coordinator, Voice Studies, Auburn University 

Alfrelynn J. Roberts (TX) Chorus Master, Fort Worth Opera; Artistic Director, South Dallas Concert Choir 

Patricia Thel (NJ)  Artistic Director Emeritus, Trenton Children's Chorus

Alex Underwood (KS) Artistic Director, Ad Astra Music Festival

Dr. Jason Vodicka (NJ) Associate Professor of Music Education, Westminster Choir College