Ethan Bennett

St. Michael is pleased to announce it has hired Mr. Ethan Bennett to be its choral director for the 2021-22 school year. Mr. Bennett is currently the choral director of Ravenwood High School in Franklin, TN. just south of Nashville. 

“We had a lot of interest for this position," said principal Faustin Weber, "and we conducted 12 first interviews. After those,  I invited Mr. Bennett to St. Michael for a second interview, and to teach both our Chamber singers and an Introductory choral class. I was extremely impressed by his energy, his prodding of some of the more "reluctant-to-participate" boys,  and his teaching skills.  He worked both classes hard, and they responded to him. It’ll be fun to see how far he takes them.” 

Bennett is looking forward to joining St. Michael: “I am honored to be a part of the  faculty, and I am excited to meet the students and their families! I am especially eager to continue to develop the choirs into a top-tier choral program with a focus on music literacy and solid vocal technique. Choral music is a universal language, and I hope to bring all types and genres of music to our students as we work together to create a culture of excellence and joy. Most importantly, I believe that choral music is one of the most beautiful acts of worship, and I hope every student leaves each rehearsal feeling more connected to each other and to God.”

“The great thing about interviewing experienced music directors,” Weber adds, “is you can listen to their music. I hope our community will listen to the two pieces Mr. Bennett recently directed with Ravenwood High School, which we’ve placed at the end of this announcement. If you do, I think you’ll be as enthusiastic as I am.” 

Bennett earned an undergraduate degree in music education from Lipscomb University and received recognition at graduation as its most outstanding student teacher. He then completed a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting at  the University of Mississippi in Oxford, before being hired by Ravenwood and leading that program for two years. 

As a graduate student at Ole’ Miss, Bennett assisted with rehearsals and performances of the University Women’s Ensemble, the Men’s Glee Chorus, and the University Concert Singers. He’s been a frequent soloist and choral member in area Churches, including St. Peter’s Episcopal in Oxford and West End United Methodist in Nashville and has also sung in area operas.

Bennett will begin with St. Michael on August 1, 2021. He is getting married to his fiancee, Rustin, this September in Nashville. They are members of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Nashville, and will settle in Mobile thereafter. 

——-
We invite you to listen to two recent choral performances by Ravenwood HS under Mr. Bennett’s direction: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_8D_9I0Z8SO0XYqU3kqbGWyup67uQZcL/view (My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord, Ravenwood High School, Franklin TN))

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m74VSINWEqNson9pb1jwL2-qUGKnY9MH/view (Jingle Bells, Ravenwood High School, Franklin TN)