Artistic Director

With regard to choral music, Mr. Morton is quoted as saying: “In a world teeming with forces that divide, choral singing expresses, encourages, and exemplifies a true sense of community.”

A Tribute to Stephen Morton

Stephen Morton is a busy man.  Lots of experience as a well-educated musician, he certainly is well-qualified to be The Artistic Director and Conductor of The American Chamber Chorale and Orchestra.

What started out as an ensemble of singers from a large chorus interested in going in new and different directions, has grown to become the Chorale and Orchestra we know today.  Stephen’s love of music composed in Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary Eras is a part of who he is.  Singers are challenged to grow in exploring varied compositions including music written by living composers.

In the Chorale’s early years, Orchestral instruments were added to Chorale concerts when composer’s scores called for them.  Since 2016, our Orchestra has been a regular feature of  all concerts as we are The American Chamber Chorale and Orchestra.  In addition to accompanying the Chorale in major works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, John Rutter and others, the Orchestra has played works written for orchestra by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Michael Haydn and Eric Whitacre.  What wonderful, creative concerts Stephen Morton has brought to the St. Louis Area through the years! 

When Stephen formed The American Chamber Chorale in 2001, while he knew a wonderful journey was ahead, he did not envision the path ahead and how many people would be blessed by sharing his gift of music!  And now, it’s time for him to move on. 

Stephen has expressed his gratitude while reflecting on past seasons.

My sincere thanks to all the talented people who sang with us over the years.  The singers of the ACC came to us from many places: the broader community, my university voice studio, college choirs I have directed, and many who were recruited by ACC singers. To all of you, I count it a blessing to know you, make music with you, and share so many countless, heavenly moments.  What a great privilege it has been to be part of the American Chamber Chorale and Orchestra.  Thank you, all.

-Marsha Armentrout, Executive Director

Stephen Morton brings a rich and diverse background to leadership roles with the and the American Chamber Chorale and Orchestra with extensive experience as a conductor, teacher, and singer.  Mr. Morton’s education includes undergraduate and graduate degrees from Milligan College and the University of Tennessee (respectively), and postgraduate work at the St. Louis Conservatory of Music. As a singer, Mr. Morton has sung leading bass-baritone roles in opera and oratorio in Europe and the United States, and studied voice with the renowned Edward Zambara.

Mr. Morton began engaging the area’s finest orchestra players in January of 2016 to form the Salem Chamber Orchestra. With the exception of the first Sunday each month, the Salem Chamber Orchestra plays for the 11:00 am Traditional worship service at Salem Methodist Church each Sunday as part of a truly unique worship experience. Worship at Salem is further enhanced by frequent collaborations between the Salem Chamber Orchestra and Salem’s exceptional Chancel Choir as well as guest artists from Opera Theatre of St. Louis, the St. Louis Symphony, the MUNY, and Jazz at the Bistro.

Mr. Morton also serves as Director of Traditional Worship and Music at Salem Methodist Church and Music Director of the Salem Chamber Orchestra. As a guest conductor, Mr. Morton has appeared locally with choruses of St. Louis University, Washington University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, numerous community choruses, and All-District Choirs. Mr. Morton previously wrote and hosted the inspirational program, Behind The Music, which originally aired on Classic 99 and was later broadcast on radio stations around the U.S. Under Mr. Morton’s leadership, the American Chamber Chorale is known for creative programming and outstanding performances of both classical and modern choral art music. ACC concerts frequently incorporate many other artistic disciplines into concerts. Past concerts have featured players of native instruments of China, Africa, and Japan, and ethnic dance, ballet, story-telling, multi-media, and marionettes.

The American Chamber Chorale has included benefit concerts for several seasons. Charities who received proceeds from ACC concerts in the past include Lutheran Family and Children’s Services, Lydia’s House, Youth in Need, Emmaus Homes, Shalom House, Let’s Start, Kingdom House, Habitat For Humanity, and Isaiah 58.