Sing It Yourself Messiah
The National Tour
Veteran Village USA has partnered with the following music programs. All proceeds from performances are donated to Veteran Village USA. For information on how to be part of, join or donate, please contact us
Here's your opportunity to perform
Messiah by Georg F. Handel
with hundreds of your best friends,
while at the same time
supporting Veteran Village USA.
We will supply the orchestra,
soloists, conductor and score.
You bring your voice and all your singing friends.
Please note - our performances sell out quickly so,
book early!
The Michigan Chamber Singers (TMCS) is a small ensemble of very talented singers.
We prepare more challenging pieces.
Each member is challenged with the
task of learning our music.
If you are interested in auditioning,
please contact Dan Schmier at DanSchmier@gmail.com.
This ensemble does fund raising
to cover expenses.
Soprano
Jennifer Curts
Joey Crowley
Julia Asselin
Darla Powell
Alto
Meredith Aldrich
Jeanne Beville
Amy Elrod
Tenor
Matthew Crimm
Baylin Lacroix
Ann Libal-Tulgetske
Bass
Peter Aldrich
Aryn Booker
Christian Lane
The Michigan Chamber Choir
The Michigan Chamber Orchestra
The Michigan Chamber Orchestra is a dynamic group of musicians
rehearsing and playing throughout the state of Michigan.
If you are interested in auditioning for this orchestra,
If you have questions, please contact our music director, Dan Schmier.
810-605-5944 x/501 OR DanSchmier@VeteranVillageUSA.org
Meet our Music Director
Our music director, Dan Schmier was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. His parents were members of Holy Rosary Catholic Church-Flint. Dan was baptized, confirmed, made his reconciliation and received his first holy communion at Holy Rosary. When Dan was in high school, he was asked to help form a youth choir. With several of his high school friends, "The New Hope Choir" was formed and lead music at Saturday evening mass.
Dan majored in Choral Music Education at The University of Michigan-Flint. Under the direction of Professor Carolyn Mawby, Dan excelled in his studies of Choral Music. During his senior year, Fr. Sylvester Fedewa contacted the University and asked for recommendations of Catholic students who showed promise in conducting choirs. Dan's contact information was given to Fr. Fedewa, an interview was conducted and Dan worked for 14 years at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church-Burton.
During his tenure at Holy Redeemer, the adult choir grew to 109. Handbells were donated by the Council of Catholic Women and 6 handbell choirs were quickly formed. A team of 14 cantors and 2 staff organists rounded off the music ministry team.
Dan was asked to help form a chapter of NPM (National Association of Pastoral Musicians) in the Lansing diocese. After helping forming that division, Dan offered suggestions to the National Office on how to better organize it's chapters. For his contributions to NPM, Dan was presented a special award for, "Outstanding Organizational Skills".
Dan was asked to represent the Lansing Diocese at the Vatican's First International Conference of Liturgy for English, French and Spanish speaking countries. The conference was held in Rome, Italy.
Along, with several music directors in mid-Michigan, Dan helped prepare a musical pilgrimage to Italy. 129 people participated in that travel event. While Dan holds many wonderful memories from that pilgrimage, it was the first time Dan got to shake hands with Saint John Paul II and sing Happy Birthday to him in Polish.
Dan has attended many classes and seminars on choral music and worship. He is a graduate of both the intermediate and advanced NPM Cantor programs. He has personally cantored at over 5000 weddings and 3000 funerals.
Dan has also worked at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church-Frankenmuth, St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church-Swartz Creek. Dan worked for 22 years in the travel industry. He has been on over 50 cruises, has traveled over 12 times to Italy, several time to Hawaii, the Philippines, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, England, Ireland. Mexico and most of the Caribbean Islands.
We are very blessed to have Dan Schmier as our music director. He brings to every rehearsal...energy, motivation and a drive to excellence. He insists we come to a full understanding of what we are singing about and for whom we sing. He calls us to excellence and does not allow us to settle for less.
If you ever have the opportunity to attend a choir rehearsal with Dan....do it. It is an eye-opening and rewarding experience.
Meet our Accompinst
Steven C. Holovach is the Director of Choirs at E. A. Johnson High School in Mt. Morris, Michigan where he conducts the Vocal Ensemble, Polyphonic Choir, and Concert Choir. In addition, Mr. Holovach teaches at Mt. Morris Middle School where he directs three sections of choir.
Choirs and soloists under his direction have received excellent ratings at both district and state festivals and performed at Walt Disney World and Mackinac Island. He has also had students participate in regional, state, and all-state honors choirs. Recently, he participated in commissioning new works through Choirs America’s Commission Consortium.
Before coming to Mt. Morris, Mr. Holovach taught at Goodrich High School and served as music director of the school musicals. Alongside teaching, he serves as accompanist for several school and community theatre groups.
Mr. Holovach studied conducting, voice, and music education at the University of Michigan-Flint where he earned his bachelor of music education. At graduation, he was presented with he prestigious Maze and Blue Award. He is continuing his education at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan where he is studying choral conducting with Michael A. Mitchell.
Outside of school and community performing, he serves as assistant music director/accompanist and handbell choir director at Blessed Trinity Church in Frankenmuth, Michigan. He is also the accompanist for the Michigan Chorale. He lives in Frankenmuth and has one son, Harrison, who amazes him every day.
Mr. Holovach is a member of the Michigan School Vocal Music Association where he serves as District 3 Manager and also a member of the American Choral Directors Association
