Michael Jones & The Mount Vernon Baptist Church Inspirational Choir

On Sunday February 16, The Mount Vernon Baptist Church Inspirational Choir under the direction of Michael D. Jones, Sr. will come to St. Matthew Episcopal Church to give a concert as part of the church’s Faith & Arts Series. While there is no charge for this concert, there will be a love offering collected.

The choir was organized over forty years ago when members of the former Young People Choir had outgrown the age of a youth choir. Michael Jones became their music director and pianist in 2008. The choir provides music for the first Sunday worship services of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Durham, travels with the pastor to sing at other churches and revival services and also sings at special programs throughout the community.

Jones is a native of Hampton, VA where he began his study of the piano at the age of nine. He graduated, with honors, from Norfolk State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Public School Music. His major instrument of study was the piano.  He has been a professional musician and music educator for over twenty-five years, building a reputation as a sought after music educator, film composer, arranger, and producer. As a composer and arranger, Michael has written manuscript scores for Durham’s Evening of Entertainment and has been recognized for his film scores at The Indie Gathering International Film Festival.

Michael is also the Choir Director and Jazz Band II Director at Culbreth Middle School in Chapel Hill and was the 2015/16 District Teacher of the Year, 2018 WRAL Teacher of the Week and was also featured in the November 2019 issue of the Chapel Hill Magazine.

The St. Matthew’s Faith and the Arts Series began in 2010 as a result of the church’s desire to be more intentional in their support of the arts and artists; to challenge and deepen faith through exposure to the arts; and to use sacred space as a setting for artistic expression.