The Taylor University Music department introduced Janel Baker as the new director of the Taylor University Women's Chorus at the beginning of the fall semester.
With the transition, Baker has brought new efforts to cultivate a tighter-knit community within the group through changes to class layout and schedule. Through these efforts, she has prioritized both the cohesiveness and technicality of the group.
“I really appreciated the community aspect that she's brought to the women's chorus,” Ashlyn Hanson, a sophomore finance major and Women’s Chorus member, said.
At the beginning of rehearsal, Baker will pick two people to come up to the front. They share their background and why they have a passion for music. After they have shared, the other women pray over them, Hanson said.
Baker has created more breakout sessions to focus on specific sections, which are vocal parts, including alto and soprano. It has been helpful for the members to get to know one another and mesh better as a group, Hanson said.
“She is working on hosting some different events to get to know each other outside of choir, which has been really great, and I feel like it's made us sound better in general,” sophomore Georgia Morrison, a graphic design major and Women's Chorus member, said.
To take the group to a higher proficiency level, Baker has increased rehearsal time by 30 minutes this year, Morrison said.
Baker is making it a priority to help each member of the group cultivate a love for music. While many of the women are not music majors, they are united by their enjoyment of singing, she said.
Baker also wants the Women’s Chorus to be well equipped technically. Her aim is for them to feel like they have better instruments with which to sing and perform.
“I just think that's really important—that this be more than just a singing ensemble, that it be a core group of women who love the Lord and want to use their musical gifts together,” Baker said.
Morrison joined the Women’s Chorus at the beginning of the fall semester after having not been in choir for several years. Since joining the group, Morrison said she has gained confidence in her voice.
Hanson entered her second year in the Women’s Chorus at the beginning of this fall semester. She said she has also grown due to Baker’s leadership.
“I love the music that we work on,” Hanson said. “I feel like it has stretched me and grown me. I've gotten particularly better at sight reading and staying on my part, even when other things are happening around me.”
In addition to directing the Women’s Chorus, Baker also teaches choir for sixth through twelfth graders at Western Middle and High School in Russiaville, Ind. She has taught public school choir for 31 years.
She described her experience of teaching public school choir as precious and fulfilling. Her position gave her the opportunity to have an impact on a multitude of students, Baker said.
However, earlier this year Baker felt that God was taking her in a different direction.
“I'm coming toward the end of my high school teaching career, being at 31 years, and I've always had the desire to search out what God has for me next,” Baker said.
Baker asked the Lord to reveal any open doors for what she should pursue next. When the position of Women’s Chorus director was offered to her, she accepted. It was the door the Lord was opening, she said.
The Women’s Chorus is currently working on pieces for their concert, which will be centered around the theme of light.
“Matthew 5:15 and 16 says no one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket; instead, a lamp is placed on a stand,” Baker said. “So Matthew 5:15 and 16 is what’s coming up next for us. God is our light. We need to be the light of the world.”
Students, faculty and friends are invited to experience the Women’s Chorus in concert at the Recital Hall in the Smith-Hermanson Music Center on Nov. 24 at 3 p.m.
