Daryl Bichel, MM
Artistic Director, Night Song
Daryl Bichel received his BA degree in music from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and holds Master of Music degrees from the New England Conservatory in performance of early music and organ performance. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Boston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and on the Board of the Old West Organ Society. His sacred music posts have included Lutheran churches, Episcopal parish churches, an Episcopal cathedral, and an Episcopal monastic community. A vocal student of Jason McStoots, he is currently a member of the choir of men and boys at The Parish of All Saints - Ashmont in Dorchester. He also sings in Coro Stella Maris and Seraphim Singers. His interests include chant and other early music, composing sacred music, and developing creative "ancient modern" liturgies.
Carolyn Darr, SSM
Associate Director, Night Song
The Reverend Mother Superior Carolyn H. Darr, SSM was elected Superior of the Society of St. Margaret in 2002 and was just reelected for another three year term. She is the past Novice Director and Assistant Superior. She is presently an Affiliated Minister of the Memorial Church, Harvard. She is past president and active member of the Association of Anglican Musicians. She is currently a retreat director on subjects such as spirituality, prayer, and the religious life. She has taught music and liturgy at Princeton University and at the Episcopal Seminary in Haiti. She was a church musician at parishes for many years, and continues directing the Sisters in choir and the Schola Cantorum, as well as being the Organist for the Society.
Ben Schwendener
Coordinator for Jazz
Pianist/composer/educator Ben Schwendener has lived in and been a part of Boston’s music scene since the early 1980s. A critically acclaimed performer, prolific composer and recording artist, Ben has appeared throughout the U.S.A., Europe and Japan. He is on the faculties of the New England Conservatory and the Longy School of Music, where he teaches George Russell’s Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization and directs ensemble, and also directs the Creative Music Ensemble at the Rivers School. Ben also teaches a class in the Creative and Critical Thinking department at U-Mass Boston, and is the director of Gravity Arts, Inc. - an arts education non-profit, which he founded in 1997.
Ken Brooks
Special Assistant and Advisor to Night Song
Ken Brooks, Minister of Music at St. John's Jamaica Plain, helped develop Night Song from an idea to a full-fledged program. He generously lends his artistic insight, serves as liaison with the parish for Night Song personnel, assists with publicity, and ensures that the musical instruments used for Night Song are well maintained. He works with great diligence and enthusiasm to create a welcoming and tranquil setting for Night Song. Originally from Bolivar, Tennessee, Ken grew up Southern Baptist and the gospel music of his youth is in his soul and adds color and life to the musical offerings at St. John's.
Anne Fowler
Rector, St. John's Church
The Reverend Anne Carroll Fowler is an Episcopal priest and rector of St. John's Church in Jamaica Plain, where she has served since 1992. Throughout her ordained ministry she has been active in various social justice movements in the Church and beyond: principally Gay and Lesbian equality and women's reproductive rights and health. She chairs the Board of the Massachusetts Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry and the Board of NARAL Pro Choice Massachusetts. In the Diocese of Massachusetts, she serves as Chaplain to Postulants Candidates for Ordained Ministry as well as on the Compensation and Benefits Committee and the Clergy Sabbatical Committee.
She has authored four chapbooks of poetry: Five Islands, Whiskey Stitching, and Summer of Salvage, all published by Pudding House, and Liz, Wear Those Pearl Earrings, winner of the Frank Cat Press 2002 Chapbook Contest. For ten years she ran the Chapter & Verse Reading Series in Jamaica Plain.