conway

men's

chorus

Since 1998, men from all walks of life and with a ​wide range of musical talent have come together ​for the joy of singing and with a desire to give ​back to the Central Arkansas community. The ​Conway Men's Chorus presents two free concerts ​per year, performing to live audiences of all ages.

Since the Fall of 1998, the Chorus has presented at least two full concerts each ​year. Each Spring the Chorus has offered a Pops concert with a wide range of ​music genres from classical to contemporary, country to folk, doo-wop to ​patriotic, and pop-rock to barbershop. Each Fall the Chorus has presented a ​Christmas Holiday concert featuring a variety of traditional secular and sacred ​Christmas and seasonal favorites.


Through the years, Chorus members have been men from high school age into ​their 80s. They have had a full range of musical abilities and knowledge. They ​have been men from all walks of life and in various fields of employment ​including agriculture, arts, broadcasting, business, construction, education, ​finance, labor, law, medicine, music, sales, and retired.


During its history, more than 250 men from Conway and the surrounding ​central Arkansas area have sung with the Conway Men's Chorus at some time, ​with about 50 men participating each concert season. Nearly one-fourth of the ​founding members of the Chorus have been able to continue singing all through ​the years to the present.


Put simply, members of the Conway Men’s Chorus have been and continue to ​be men who love to sing and want to give the joy of music back to their ​community.

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upcoming CONCERTS

2024 Holiday Concert​

Tuesday, December 3, 2024 | 7:00 PM​

Reynolds Performance Hall​

University of Central Arkansas​

Free Admission! Free Parking!​


2025 Spring pops concert​

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 | 7:00 PM​

Reynolds Performance Hall​

University of Central Arkansas​

Free Admission! Free Parking!​

Music Entertainment equipment, Music Background

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

Rehearsals for our 2024 Holiday Concert will begin on ​Monday, September 9, 2024


All Rehearsals are Mondays at 6:00 PM in the choir room of ​Woodland Heights Baptist Church, 4215 Prince Street in ​Conway, Arkansas. Enter at the side door off the parking lot ​nearest the northeast corner of the building.


In the event of winter weather, Men's Chorus rehearsal will ​be cancelled IF classes at UCA are cancelled that morning.


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join the chorus

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.

Ho​w can I learn more?

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

You can also call 501-327-5151.

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ABOUT THE CHORUS

Getting Started

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.

Becoming established

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.

continuing the tradition

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.

OUR MISSION & VALUES

OU​R MISSION

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

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


SUPPORT THE CHORUS

LE​VELS OF GIVING

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.​

Make a donation ONLINE

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.

SUPPORT WITH KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS

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.

MAKE A DONATION BY MAIL

You may also complete a paper donation 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

OUR SPONSORS

Updated October 6, 202​4

MAJOR SPONSORS ($1,000+)

  • Arkansas Federal Credit Union
  • MP Builders, LLC

official media sponsor

  • 501 LIFE Magazine


SPONSORS ($500-$999)

  • Donald & Stefanie Brazille
  • Stewart Nelson & Carol Way Hefner
  • J​oe & Connie Whisenhunt

SPONSORS ($250-$499)​

  • Mike & Vicki Altland
  • Kelly Boswell
  • Chris Carnahan
  • Jim & Andy Lane
  • Jim & Jo Lynn Robinson
  • Jim Teeter
  • Clark & Donna Wooten
  • Chestnut Animal Clinic
  • ERA Team
  • Smith Ford
  • W​elcome Home Properties

OFFICIAL PRINTING SPONSOR

  • Crossman Printing Company
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OUR PATRONS

WH​OLE NOTE ($150-249)

  • Ron & Sherry Bennett
  • Joyce & Terry Fiddler
  • Bill & Marilyn Powell
  • Dan & Kari Rohrbaugh
  • Harry & Connie Smith
  • Rian & Debra Sommerfield
  • C​harles & Peggy Yarbro

HALF NOTE ($100-$149)​

  • Anonymous
  • Jim & Judi Berkau
  • Phil & Anna Boudreaux
  • Floyd & Debra Bradley
  • Linda Chambers
  • Bill & Karen Clay
  • Carlos Cobos
  • Conway Morning Optimist Club
  • Guy Couch
  • P​aul Duckett
  • Larry & V​ickie James
  • Mike & Gayl​e McCullars
  • Memorial Gift for Peter W​. Carpenter
  • Peggy & J​im Shneider
  • Len & Ca​bdee Tipton
  • John & ​Cathie Weir

quarter note ​($50-99)

  • Paul & Violette Bridgman
  • Eddy & Rena Clark
  • John & Claudia Courtway
  • Melissa Courtway
  • Steve & Nina Floyd
  • Jaden, Jakob, Jared, & Jaxon Heintzen
  • Katherine & George Heintzen
  • George & Christine Mayo
  • Ken & Linda Moore
  • Len Schlientz & Jennie Denniston
  • D​ean Williams

Ei​ghth note ($25-$49)

  • Debbie & Ed Adcock
  • Grace & Jordan Bennett
  • Sonya Fritz
  • David J. Loken
  • David McFadden, PE
  • S​usan Tacker