Director of Music
&
Principal Organist
Marilyn Shenenberger, principal organist at Morrisville Presbyterian Church since 2007, assumed the post of Director of Music on 17 August 2008. Prior to joining the staff at MPC, Marilyn was the Director of Music at Faith Presbyterian Church in Medford, New Jersey for seventeen years. In her position there, she directed adult and children’s vocal and handbell choirs, played organ and piano for both the traditional and contemporary services.
Marilyn has taught as a member of the conducting faculty at Westminster Choir College, and is the coordinator for the Westminster Conducting Institute. She has written and recorded the Accompanist Supplement for The Choral Warm-up Core Vocal Exercises and is co-author with Dr. Jordan of Ear Training: Aural Immersion Exercises for Choirs, a book which provides intonation exercises and choral warm-ups in eight modes, with recorded keyboard accompaniments as well as printed harmonization. Her latest publication, Learn to Listen, is designed to provide singers with a harmonic introduction to solfege. . In addition, she has just completed editing Choral Vocal Technique, an award-winning book of warm-up exercises by Sabine Horstmann.
Shenenberger holds a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College and a Bachelor of Science degree from Lebanon Valley College in music education. She is in demand as a clinician in Ear Training, Harmonic Immersion Solfege, Accompanying, Handbells and Dalcroze movement. She has taught piano, vocal and instrumental music, eurhythmics classes, handbell workshops, and directed a variety of ensembles. In addition to her work at Morrisville Presbyterian Church, she is in demand as a collaborative artist at Westminster Choir College, where she is the principal accompanist for Westminster Williamson Voices, under the direction of Dr. James Jordan. Her secular musical scope also includes Musical Director for the Lamplight Players theatre productions at Burlington County College.
Goals for MPC’s Music Program
Marilyn’s goal for the Music Program at MPC is to continue the tradition of excellence which she is inheriting, and to support the exceptional work of Betty Hohwieler with the MPC Children’s Choirs and Carol Houghton with the Chancel Chimes handbell choir. She hopes to encourage further participation of church members of all ages in a variety of ensembles. She would like to entice them to share their talents and abilities in an atmosphere which is both inspirational and nurturing, fostering spiritual and musical growth in fellowship and camaraderie with others.