Chords of Faith choir unites people from all walks of life

The first to audition is a baritone and writer of disaster readiness reports.

It is time to make his case, vocally speaking, to be included in Chords of Faith, a volunteer choir organized by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who perform in and around Atlanta.

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Jessica McGowan / jmcgowan@ajc.com

Married couple Courtney and Jonathan Tanner of Alpharetta audition together for the Chords of Faith choir.

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Jessica McGowan / jmcgowan@ajc.com

Mark Hamilton and Courtney Tanner share a laugh during Tanner’s audition.

The baritone, Bill Baker, 67, sang with the choir during the 2004-2005 season.

Mark Hamilton, the 53-year-old director, moves with him to the piano. Keleen Miskin, choir president, remains seated at a table before them, poised to take notes.

The two listen for Baker’s range, his ability to blend his voice and sight-read.

Baker has selected “I Believe in Christ” from the church hymnal to make his case.

I believe in Christ; he is my King!

With all my heart to him I’ll sing …

“Beautiful,” says Miskin.

Last Sunday’s audition was the second in as many weeks. A third and final one is scheduled just before the choir’s first rehearsal Sunday. Applicants age 16 and older are welcome to try out. The only criteria are they love the Lord and can sing. None of those auditioning last week performs for a living. They are housekeepers and students and marketing directors.

The chosen will join a tradition dating to 1993, when Hamilton and a group of his friends gathered around his living room piano to sing just because that’s what they loved doing.

“When you sing, you reach people,” said Hamilton. “You can touch them at the heart level. That’s really what keeps us together.”

At their next gathering, the question was, “What shall we call ourselves?”

They called themselves Chords of Faith, of course.

Hamilton has about 16 spots — four each of each part — to fill to bring the choir back up to 50 or so. The need is greatest among tenors and basses.

Ten minutes later, Baker’s time is up. Eight more, including two married couples, follow.

Included in the lineup:

The youngest

Katie Hall, 18, of Roswell

Day job: Senior at Roswell High School

Audition: “Lord I Will Follow Thee”

Part: Soprano

Why she wants to be a member: “I love to sing, especially to share the spirit of Christ.”

The couple

Jonathan Tanner, 31, and wife Courtney, 27, of Alpharetta

Day jobs: Jonathan is a sales director for a consumer electronics company; Courtney is a mom and music teacher.

Audition: Holding hands, they performed a duet, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.”

Part: Jonathan, bass or tenor; Courtney, soprano or alto

Why they want to be members: Jonathan: “Express my testimony through music as well as to be able to sing in a serious environment with my wife. Music is a huge part of me, and I enjoy sharing it.”

Courtney: “Love performing with my husband. Love singing songs about the savior and my faith. Miss singing in a choir.”

The homemaker

Amber Bunker, 23, of Norcross

Day job: mother of two

Audition: “Abide With Me ‘tis Eventide”

Part: soprano or alto

Why she wants to be a member: Misses the joy and satisfaction that comes from singing in a choir

The executive

Amanda Hughes, 30, of Duluth

Day job: marketing director

Audition: “If the Savior Stood Beside Me”

Part: alto

Why she wants to be a member: “I enjoy singing with groups and the friendships it forms. I enjoy expressing my testimony and worshipping my savior through music.”

The custodian

Jerry Smith, 63, of Cumming

Day job: housekeeper at Northside Hospital-Forsyth

Audition: “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me”

Part: tenor

Why he wants to be a member: “I need a creative outlet that involves singing.”

CHORDS OF FAITH

Five major performances: Dec. 5-7 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5995 Spalding Drive, Norcross; April 26 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1150 Cole Road, Lilburn; and May 3 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 500 Norcross St., Roswell.

Next audition: Sunday

For more information: Contact Mark Hamilton, 404-323-4970 or chordsoffaith@me.com