Personnel
Tim Pahel, Artistic Director
Tim Pahel is Professor of Music, Director of Choral and Vocal Activities, and Chair of the Music Department at Monmouth College. His duties include directing the Monmouth College Chorale and Chamber Choir, teaching private voice, conducting, and courses in the Music Education curriculum. Prior to coming to Monmouth, Dr. Pahel served as Assistant Professor and Music Coordinator at Carl Sandburg College and also taught courses and directed ensembles at Knox College.
Dr. Pahel has toured with the Monmouth Chorale both nationally and internationally, including trips to Spain, Italy, and New York City to perform in Carnegie Hall. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in May 2018, conducting the Monmouth Chorale and other high school and college choirs, as well as, the New England Symphony Ensemble in a performance of Vaughan William's Dona nobis pacem. Dr. Pahel has been the director of the Galesburg Community Chorus since 2001. He has conducted numerous major works for chorus and orchestra including, most recently, Verdi's Requiem, Handel's Messiah, Mozart's Requiem, and Orff's Carmina Burana. Dr. Pahel holds a bachelor's degree from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, a master's degree in Piano Performance from the University of Illinois, and a doctorate in Choral Conducting from the University of Iowa, where he studied conducting with Dr. Timothy Stalter. Dr. Pahel is an active member of the American Choral Director Association, Music Educator's National Conference, the Illinois Music Educator's Association and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. He also is a frequent adjudicator for high school solo and ensemble contests as well as a clinician for large group contests and festivals.
Justin Swearinger, Fall Concert Director
Dr. Justin Swearinger is an assistant professor of music and the Director of Instrumental Activities at Monmouth College. His duties include directing the Monmouth College Wind Ensemble and Instrumental Chamber Music, as well as teaching music theory and courses in the music education curriculum. For fall of 2023, he is also directing the Fighting Scots Marching Band. In addition to his instrumental duties, he sings with several choirs throughout the Western Illinois and previously directed a production of Handel's Messiah in the Four-Corners area of New Mexico.
Swearinger holds a Bachelor of Arts in Percussion Performance from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Florida International University. He was conferred the Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting from The University of Southern Mississippi in December of 2022. While a doctoral candidate at USM, he was involved with all facets of the University Bands program, including rehearsing the USM Wind Ensemble and assisting with “The Pride of Mississippi” 300-student marching band. An active member of the College Band Directors National Association, the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, Percussive Arts Society, and the Illinois Music Educators Association, Swearinger has served as a clinician and guest artist in Iowa, Illinois, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and New Mexico.
Solee Lee-Clark, Accompanist
A native of Seoul, South Korea, Solee Lee-Clark has studied piano in her native country, the United States, and Paris. Currently, Lee-Clark teaches piano and music theory at Monmouth College.
Her previous teaching appointments include West Virginia Wesleyan College, Davis and Elkins (West Virginia) College, and Muskegon Community College in Michigan.
Lee-Clark is an active performer as a soloist and collaborative artist. As a soloist, she was invited to
perform at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall in 2014. She has received awards from the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition, the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition, the French Piano International Grant, and the Global Education Opportunities Award. A graduate of the doctor of musical arts in piano performance at West Virginia University, Lee-Clark received her master of music degree from the University of Southern California and her bachelor of music degree from Kangnam (South Korea) University. She studied piano with Christine Kefferstan, Steven Harlos, Gabriel Chodos, Nancy Bricard, Sung-ja Kim and Kyoung-sook Kim; organ with William Haller and Huw Lewis; and harpsichord with Greg Crowell.
Julie Van Fleet, Business Manager
Karen Noble, Graphic Designer
Board of Directors
Will Culbertson, President
Judy Diemer, Treasurer
Mary Armon
Gary Dalegowski
Eric Engstrom
Stephen Jackson
Liz Metz
Megan Bogner, Student Liaison
Garrett Sprinkle, Student Liaison