About MCGC
Opening hearts.
Taking Chances.
Witnessing the Spirit.
Since 1994
The Montpelier Community Gospel Choir debuted in 1994 under the direction of the late Rev. Fred Shapiro and the late Andy Shapiro. From its beginnings as a loose-knit group of about 20 people, the choir has since grown to over 60 members.
In 2022, John Harrison retired after 26 years of leadership and was named Artistic Director Emeritus. We are indebted to him for his years of service, commitment, and legacy.
From 2022 - 2025, the MCGC welcomed its second Artistic Director Rev. Verdis LeVar Robinson who continued on the legacy and mission of the choir as its Executive Director until his departure for a new ministry.
In 2026, MCGC welcomed its third Artistic Director, Dr. James Stewart. As a composer, arranger, performer and director, Dr. James Stewart is interested in ALL genres of music; working in musical theater, with rock bands, symphony orchestras, church choirs and ensembles of all shapes and sizes. James holds a Master’s of Music from the University of North Carolina School of Arts and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford. He is an active member of the local music community, collaborating with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, serving as composer-in-residence with the Solaris Vocal Ensemble also as composing and arranging pieces for local high schools and choirs. You can find out more about James’ music on his artist website jamesstewartcomposer.com.
In addition to our main concerts twice a year, we sing for benefits, church services, prisons, nursing homes, and memorial services, but the heart of what we do happens at our Monday evening rehearsals. It’s there that we share with each other, open our hearts, take chances, and witness the movement of the spirit. When all of that carries over into our concerts, we are all blessed.
Over the years we have performed under the Gospel Tent at the Discover Jazz Festival in Burlington, Vermont; at Montpelier’s First Night New Year’s Eve celebration; and at the Farmer’s Night concert series at the Vermont State House. We have been privileged with the opportunity to sing with Tammy Fletcher, Vermont’s homegrown blues great, and with gospel legend Fontella Bass and jazz trumpeter Lester Bowie.
Sharing the Hope, Joy, and Inspiration of African-American Gospel Music. Love in Harmony!
Our Mission:
We come together in harmony and with reverence for the tradition of African-American Gospel music — its artistry, history, strength, and resilience. We see the power of music to inspire and manifest love and connect to the divine in all of us. Our choir is a community that heals by lifting the human spirit.
Our Vision:
Why are there so many white people in a gospel choir?
We are a multiracial choir singing African-American Gospel music. We have a deep love and respect for Black Gospel music because it is incredibly powerful, joyful, painful, real and emotional. We believe it is the foundation of much of what is great in American music, and are honored to bring this true American art form to the Vermont community. We strive to be respectful and intentional in publicly acknowledging the rich and historic African-American origins of this music and its creators. We are also passionate about offering and supporting anti-racism opportunities in our community. Please be in touch if you have any suggestions for us and to share your thoughts about how to build an anti-racist, multicultural community.
Artistic Team and Staff
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As a composer, arranger, performer and director, Dr. James Stewart is interested in ALL genres of music; working in musical theater, with rock bands, symphony orchestras, church choirs and ensembles of all shapes and sizes. James holds a Master’s of Music from the University of North Carolina School of Arts and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford. He is an active member of the local music community, collaborating with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, serving as composer-in-residence with the Solaris Vocal Ensemble also as composing and arranging pieces for local high schools and choirs. You can find out more about James’ music on his artist website jamesstewartcomposer.com.
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The MCGC Band is composed of Vermont area musicians. They rehearse with the choir in the weeks leading up to the concerts and have been playing with the choir for many years.
Ira Friedman, piano and rehearsal pianist
Jay Ekis, guitar
Keith Gibson, drums
John Ryan, bass
Andric Severance, organ
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John M. Harrison was Artistic Director of MCGC from 1995-2022; A 26-year legacy worthy of his emeritus status. John is a composer, choral director, singer, and teacher who has been performing professionally since he was a lad. He performs and teaches in a variety of styles that reflect his eclectic background in music. He sang professionally as a youngster in Men & Boys choirs. He formed his first band in high school, performing in cabarets at Princeton University (not a Tiger, but a Townie). He then spent 13 years in New York City, where he led his own bands, and performed with Otis Rush, Buster Poindexter, The Uptown Horns, and Bobby Radcliff, among others. He spent several years there writing and performing in an improvisational musical-comedy group with Denis Leary before moving to Vermont in 1992. Currently, he directs Rock City!, Vermont’s rock and soul chorus, in Barre VT; Reelin’ & Rockin’, a rock and roll choir at the Montpelier Senior Activity Center in VT; World Music choruses in central Vermont for grades K-4. He has worked for the last 24 years teaching music to teenagers and adults through Village Harmony, and leads workshops for school and community choirs throughout New England and abroad. He taught choral and elementary music at Twinfield Union School in Marshfield, VT for 10 years. His compositions and arrangements have been performed by The Boys Choir of Kenya, Loud & Proud (Scotland’s LGBT choir), Revels North, Mystic Chorale, River Singers, and Social Band, as well as school and community choirs in New England and points beyond. John lives with his wife Scottie in Plainfield, VT.
Board of Directors
The Board is primarily responsible for the choir’s financial and legal health, and also for ensuring the mission of the choir. The Board upholds the choir’s mission and secures the choir’s future. Board terms are for two years, and board members can be members of the choir or not.
To contact the Board, please email Board President Julie Tessler.
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Gael Hanna has been an elementary school teacher for 23 years, specializing in teaching reading to students with learning challenges. The relationships she builds with these students are the most meaningful reward of this work. Gael has visited Vermont periodically since birth, and moved here in 2000. She loves to garden, and is always digging up more and more lawn, much to her husband’s dismay. She also loves spending time with her two dogs, and has taken up African dance. Having served on the MCGC Board for one and a half years, Gael loves singing Gospel music as it brings her the opportunity to worship God.
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Kimberly Pierce has served on the MCGC Board for over five years. She brings her perspective as a medical provider trained in trauma. Kimberly joined the Montpelier Community Gospel Choir as she could see the possibilities for collective community healing through the music.
Kimberly self-produced a documentary about healing childhood adversity and then helped to produce a second film, with more to come. She founded The Vermont Kindness Project in 2019, to educate and empower the public on breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma. In 2020, Kimberly initiated and coordinated anti-racism training for MCGC Choir Members and the Board, and is now a facilitator for ongoing community training. Kimberly sees Gospel music as bridging entertainment, community building, education, and healing.
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Olivia Tyler grew up in Kilkenny Ireland. She lives in Montpelier, VT with her teenage children, and works as a nurse in our community. Music has always been part of Olivia’s life growing up, being in church choir and now this community-based Choir, with the healing it offers which our world needs. She has been a member of MCGC for several years, and has served five years on the MCGC Board.
