Choir
The Saint James Choir supports the worship service at the 10:00 service on Sundays.
The choir is directed by Derrick Brookins and our organist is Steven Distad.
The choir is open to anyone who loves to sing. We rehearse on Wednesday nights at 7:15 and a warmup at 9:00 am on Sundays.
We always welcome new members. Don't be afraid to come and join us.
The choir is directed by Derrick Brookins and our organist is Steven Distad.
The choir is open to anyone who loves to sing. We rehearse on Wednesday nights at 7:15 and a warmup at 9:00 am on Sundays.
We always welcome new members. Don't be afraid to come and join us.
 A native of Fort Worth, Mr. Brookins has successfully completed with honors both undergraduate and graduate work at the University of North Texas. Mr. Brookins has studied and performed with world-renowned composer and choral conductor, Moses Hogan, for nine years. As a vocal performer, Mr. Brookins has performed on four continents for several European Royal Families and in venues such as The White House and The Sydney Opera House. Mr. Brookins is highly successful as a choral conductor and his choirs have consistently received sweepstakes and division one awards from the University Interscholastic League as well as several “Best In Class” and “Grand Champion” recognitions throughout the United States. While at Williams High School, Mr. Brookins was named the 2000 Teacher of the Year, received the honored Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers’ Life Membership and was inducted into the Who’s Who Among American Educators. As a highly sought after choral conductor, vocalist and choral clinician, Mr. Brookins has been invited to conduct several district, community and TMEA Region Honor Choirs throughout the state. Choirs under his direction have performed by invitation for the Music Educators National Conference and most recently were awarded the distinguished Grammy Award, presented by the National Recording Grammy Foundation. Mr. Brookins currently holds membership in the Texas Music Educators Association and servers as the Vocal Chairman of Region 24. He is also a member of the Texas Choral Directors Association, American Choral Directors Association and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association and has been recently appointed Division Chairman of Multicultural/Ethnic Choral Music for the Southwest Division of the American Choral Directors Association. |
 Stephen received his Bachelor's Degree at Drake University where he studied organ with Carl Staplin and Guy Bovet and was awarded a four years scholarship by the National Young Artists Search of the National Endowment of the Arts. He also studied at the Conservatoire de National Region in Paris, France where he had the honor of studying with Marie-Claire Alain and Susan Landale. Stephen received his Master's Degree at Baylor University where he studied with Joyce Jones and where he was also a graduate assistant. He also completed his residency for his DMA at The Eastman School of Music studying with David Higgs. Stephen won numerous competitions during his college years in the American Guild of Organists and Music Teacher's National Association. He is currently organist at St. James Episcopal Church in Dallas, Texas and is doing free-lance work such as workshops, recitals, and teaching. He is working on a wedding music website called myperfectweddingmusic.com that will be launched this Spring. He has served full-time in churches as Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Charleston, Director of Music at Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester, MN and Organist/Associate Director of Music at First United Methodist Church in Shreveport, LA. Stephen has performed concerts throughout the U.S. and Europe including Coral Ride Presbyterian in Ft. Lauderdale, St. Paul's Cathedral in London, St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City and Dublin, Notre-Dame, as well as churches in Australia and New Zealand. In November, he performed at St. Thomas Episcopal in New York City and is scheduled to play at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York later this year. He is also the creator of the Phantom of the Organ concerts with elaborate audio and visual effects that he has played in various venues around the U.S. |