Do you have to read music to be a singing
member?

Singing members do not have to read music to join the Conway Men’s
Chorus, though that is helpful. The Chorus does ask that all members
have a commitment to the mission of the organization, the willingness to
learn, and the desire to perform for our community.

Do I have to audition to join?

No. However, the Music Director and/or an Assistant Director will offer special sessions, if
requested, to test your vocal ability and range, sight reading ability, and tonal memorization so as
to help best place you in the proper section. These sessions are provided upon advanced request
a half-hour prior to the start of a rehearsal during the first 2–3 rehearsal sessions.

When can I join the Chorus?

The Conway Men's Chorus presents two regular concerts each season. At the beginning of each
concert period, the Chorus accepts new singing members.

Visit our Facebook page or email info@conwaymenschorus.org​.

You can also call 501-327-5151.

It was early Fall in 1998 when then Arkansas State
Representative Tom Courtway invited five of his friends – Jim
Beal, Bill Johnson, Richard Hardin, Bill Ward and Arch Jones –
to have lunch with him at his Conway law offices. All of these
men had some musical affiliation and appreciation. Courtway
declared, “I think we should start a men’s chorus. Conway
needs it, and it would be a lot of fun.”

From that simple beginning, Richard Hardin, a choral director
with the Conway Public Schools, began to direct rehearsals and
shortly a group of nearly 60 men sang the National Anthem at a
Conway High School football game, and later appeared at the
Chamber of Commerce’s Second Monday Luncheon before
presenting carols as part of the annual downtown Conway
Christmas Parade as their first official concert.

Getting Started

Hardin directed the group for seven seasons before turning over the baton to
then Arkansas State Senator and former university music professor Gilbert
Baker, who directed it for two seasons. Next came Bill Ward, a church choir
director, along with his wife, Suzy, as pianist, who directed the Chorus for five
seasons. Other directors since then have been former church choir directors
Darrell Spigner, Carlos Ichter, and Kelley Erstine. In January 2009, Sam
Huskey, choral director with the Conway Public Schools, became the director
of the Chorus and served in that capacity for 18 seasons until February 2018.

Becoming established

Since February 2018, Jordan Bennett, who had been serving as assistant
director for several season prior, became the Chorus Music Director and
currently continues in that position.

Paul Bradley has served as primary accompanist since the beginning of 2006
and currently continues in that capacity.

There have been four board chairmen since beginning in 1998: Tom Courtway,
Jim Beal, Bill Ferguson, and current president Mike McCullars.

Our Mission is to give back to our community the gift of music through quality,
entertaining, and enjoyable performances.

continuing the tradition

To accomplish the mission of the Chorus, we:

• Provide the Conway area with public
  concerts of the best in men's choral music
  expertly performed under skilled leadership
  and direction,
• Help enrich lives in our community by
  demonstrating and fostering a love of
  music,
• Cultivate and enhance the public's
  appreciation of choral music as a desired
  and appreciated art form through a wide
  range of musical styles and genres,
• Provide an opportunity for male singers to
  participate in men's choral singing, and
• Provide enjoyable fellowship experiences,
  music education and opportunities for
  musical self-expression for all chorus
  members.

Our Values that help shape and focus all Chorus
endeavors are:

• Friendship ~ to create collegiality and
  camaraderie among the members of the chorus
• Respect ~ to always treat each other with
  integrity and to support each member at his own
  level of musical knowledge or singing ability
• Quality ~ to work toward artistic excellence and
  professional appearance while retaining the
  passion and joy of the amateur
• Responsibility ~ to be openly accountable with
  high integrity in all fiscal and artistic endeavors to
  our members, audience and community

our values

SUPPORT THE CHORUS

Contributors:​

Any gift under $25 with a name or any gift of any amount given anonymously.

Patrons:

$25 – $49: Eighth Note Patron

$50 – $99: Quarter Note Patron

$100 – $149: Half Note Patron

$150 – $249: Whole Note Patron

Sponsors:

$250 – $499: Chorus Sponsor (listed with large name or company logo)

$500 – $999: Concert Sponsor (quarter page “ad” with name or logo)

$1,000+: Major Concert Sponsor (half page “ad” with name or logo)

The Conway Men's Chorus is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

All contributions to the chorus are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

LEVELS OF GIVING

To make a donation to support the Conway Men's Chorus,
you please click here. We accept Mastercard and Visa
donations through a partnership with PayPal for Nonprofits.

Make a donation ONLINE

You may also complete a paper donation form by clicking
here to download the form. Mail your completed form, along
with your contribution, to:

Conway Men's Chorus, Inc.

c/o Mike McCullars

3183 Amanda Drive

Conway, AR 72034

MAKE A DONATION BY MAIL

Help Kroger contribute to the Conway Men's Chorus. Click here
for instructions on how to make this happen every time you shop
at Kroger.

SUPPORT WITH KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS

MAJOR SPONSORS ($1,000+)

• Patricia A. Laster
• Joe & Connie Whisenhunt

SPONSORS ($500-$999)

SPONSORS ($250-$499)

official media sponsor

• Anonymous
• Bruce and Natalie Benafield
• Guy Couch
• Terry and Joyce Fiddler
• Mike Fodge
• Dan and Kari Rohrbaugh
• Rian and Debra Sommerfield
• Dean Williams
• Peggy (and Charles) Yarbro

• Paul and Violette Bridgman
• Eddy and Rena Clarke
• John and Claudia Courtway
• Melissa and Tom Courtway
• Steve and Nina Floyd
• Jaden, Jakob, Jared, and Jaxon Heintzen
• Katherine and George Heintzen
• Elizabeth and Bill Humphrey
• Memorial Gift for Bill Johnson
• Ken and Linda Moore

• Debbie and Ed Adcock
• Sonya Fritz
• Dennis “Chief” Knox
• Philip Pearson
• Annie Sanders
• Rick Spurr
• Susan Tacker
• Patricia A. Tyler