The following individuals accepted the call to serve on the Director of Music Ministries of Search Committee.

JIM CRAWFORD, and wife, Betsy, joined Shallowford in 2022. He sang in the Chancel Choir and recently with the Joy Chorale. He has enjoyed singing in other church choirs and choral groups all his life, including Trinity United Methodist and Central Presbyterian churches in downtown Atlanta since moving to Georgia in 1998. Prior to that, Jim sang at California Heights UMC and Westwood UMC in California. At both of those churches he served on search committees for new music directors. Prior to the pandemic, Betsy and Jim sang with the Summer Singers of Atlanta.

OWEN DEWITT (YOUTH) came to Shallowford after his middle school chorus teacher encouraged him to join Chapel Choir. He has remained a faithful choir member and involved youth as well. He has enjoyed both choir and mission trips as well as volunteering at Vacation Bible School. In addition to his church choir experience, he enjoys singing at Lakeside High where he is in the master chorus. Owen rounds out his interest in sports by playing both soccer for Lakeside and basketball for fun. Owen looks for leadership opportunities to serve his church and looks forward to serving on the music ministry search committee.

DR. DAVID FAIRCHILD and wife, Ginny, became members at Shallowford in 2020. They have three children, two of whom are active singers in Shallowford’s Chapel Choir. A native of that city, David graduated with a Bachelor of Instrumental Music Education degree from Georgia State University, and has a Masters and Doctorate in Music Education from the University of Georgia. Under Dr. Fairchild’s tenure, the Lakeside Band has grown from 32 students to over 200, and now encompasses four concert bands, a percussion ensemble, marching band, jazz band and other ensembles.

JOHN GROOVER began attending Shallowford and singing in the Chancel Choir 2011, and he officially joined the church in 2012. John has served on Session, the Congregational Care Committee, and as co-chair of the Worship Committee, and he currently serves on Session as Clerk. In the Chancel Choir, John has previously served as President and Social Chair. He recently served on the interim Music Director search committee.

JULIA MCDONNELL (YOUTH) is a sophomore at Lakeside High School. She has been part of the Shallowford community for as long as she can remember and was officially baptized last April during Confirmation Sunday. Julia has sung in Shallowford choirs since she was six years old and enjoys the opportunity to ring with the Bell Choir in worship. You can find Julia engaged in Shallowford’s Youth Ministry and Chapel Choir rehearsals on Sunday afternoons. She currently serves as a youth representative on the Pigs On Fire Committee.

LAURA PFISTER joined Shallowford in 2014, along with her parents, Guerry and Claire Dyes. Laura is an Atlanta native and a prosecutor. She is also a professional violinist who shares her talents with the Shallowford community during 11:00 a.m. worship and special concerts. Her son, Whalen, sings in Shallowford’s Chapel Choir.

AIMEE SMALL and her family have been a part of the Shallowford community for the past 8 years. They have three children, Mallory, Madelyn, and Macy, who have all participated in Shallowford’s Youth Program and Chapel Choir. Aimee previously served on the Youth Committee, and enjoys listening to both the youth and adult choirs when on tour or in worship.

LISA TURNEY and husband, Jay, joined Shallowford in 1997. They have three young adult children, Alex, Bart and Claire, who participated in every opportunity that Shallowford offered. Lisa has served two terms on Session, is active in Shallowford Presbyterian Women, and has been chair of three SPC committees: Welcoming, Church Family Ministries, and Youth. She has also been a board member of the Shallowford School. Lisa was on the search committees for both the Director of the Shallowford Preschool and the Director of Christian Education, as well as a member of the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee for Mission and Discipleship. Lisa has been in the SPC Chancel Choir for 25 years.