Welcome to the web home for:
The Kentucky Regional Men's Chorus
One of the unique aspects of Men's Ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kentucky is the Regional Men's Chorus. The group is made up of mostly Disciple men from across the Commonwealth and beyond. No auditions are held and the membership is constantly changing. Beginning in 1994, the Chorus was the inspiration of John Elkins (Clintonville), then President of the Regional Men's Cabinet and brought to reality through the diligent leadership of Greg Alexander, then Associate Regional Minister and now Regional Minister.
The Chorus meets just one weekend each year in a retreat setting, often utilizing a Kentucky State Park and seeks to proclaim God's Good News through song. The Chorus has participated in worship services or have performed at numerous Christian Churches and have participated in the 1996 and 2000 Kentucky Regional Assemblies. In 2010, they performed for the National Convention of the Association of Disciple Musicians and the 1999 and 2011 General Assemblies of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). There have been just two directors, John T. Opsata and Carroll Wallace. There have been three accompanists Larry Sivis, Michael Rintamaa and Brad Herndon.
During most of the years of its existence John T. Opsata has been the Men's Chorus' director. He directed the group in its first two seasons and then returned four years later following graduate studies. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education, Master degrees in Church Music and Divinity, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Liturgical Studies. Before entering the ministry he was a high school music educator in his home state of Minnesota. He serves or has served three Disciples of Christ congregations in Kentucky and is presently the pastor of First Christian Church, Frankfort, KY.
Michael Rintamaa has been the full-time director of music at Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in downtown Lexington since May 1993. As organist and director, he leads voice and handbell choirs for children, youth, and adults, and has played for hundreds of weddings. With his church groups, he has conducted and prepared over 18 different major choral works, 13 full length children’s musicals, and commissioned three compositions. His church choirs have appeared on television and radio. The Evans Music Room and Sanctuary of Central Christian Church are popular sites for recitals and concerts by area piano teacher studios and festivals as well as university students and local ensembles. In 2004, Michael helped to found the Central Music Academy, providing free music lessons to inner city children from underprivileged families. centralmusicacademy.org
Michael has a
bachelor of music degree in piano performance from Northwestern University, and
a master of music degree in organ performance from Emory University. He has an
unfinished Ph.D. in music history from the University of Kentucky. He has
taught undergraduate and graduate music courses at UK and Asbury University, as
well as guest lectured at Lexington Theological Seminary. Active as a
director and organist in the community, Michael was the founding director of
the auditioned community handbell ensemble, Alluring (2002-2008), and directed
the Donovan Scholars Chorus at the University of Kentucky (1999-2004). He
served as organist for Temple Adath Israel
(1998-2011), for Lexington Theological Seminary (2000-2004), served a term as
the Dean of the Lexington Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
(1999-2001), and has played with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra.
Active as an
accompanist, Michael has played for and coached many area vocalists, given
numerous recitals with area instrumentalists and vocalists, and accompanied
many university and local choral ensembles.
The chorus is always looking for men who want to proclaim their belief in God through ministry in song and in congregation with other believers. If you would like to share in ministry and worship with such a wonderful group of Christian men, please contact our Business Manger Rick Jouett.
The chorus is always looking for new venues in which to hold retreats and to perform. If your church would be interested in having the Kentucky Regional Men's Chorus as a part of your worship service or to hold a concert, please contact us!
The Kentucky Regional Men's Chorus
Christian Church in Kentucky
1125 Red Mile Road
Lexington, KY 40504
Richard Hall Jouett, KRMC Business Manager
(859) 223-5152
email: RHJouett@aol.com