MUSIC IN THE VALLEY
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Leading sacred composers and clinicians present new music and share inspirational insights during an all-day Saturday reading session.
- At an additional cost, an optional Friday afternoon choir workshop is also offered to conference participants and area church and community choir members. A concert featuring this festival choir and special guest artists is offered on Friday evening, open and free to the public.
- A wide variety of musical styles and difficulty levels will be presented giving choir directors a first look at new publications from leading publishers.
- The group singing is a one-of-a-kind experience as participants join their voices in song. The echoes of this uplifting event will create memories to be treasured for years to come.
BE A PART OF MUSIC IN THE VALLEY
Easily register through our portal & we will send you an invoice payable by check or credit card!
OUR 2026 TEAM
JOSEPH M. MARTIN
Joseph M. Martin a native of North Carolina, earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. Subsequently, he earned a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance at the University of Texas, Austin. Joseph taught for five years in the Piano Pedagogy Department of the University of Texas. He is a member of the staff of Shawnee Press as Director of Sacred Publications, with responsibilities for overseeing the editorial and creative direction of the company’s sacred publications and also coordinating the recording and production aspects of future sacred publishing efforts. With over 2000 publications in print, his music can be heard in such diverse locations as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and in hundreds of worship services in churches across the United States and Canada. In addition, his works have been performed in cathedrals throughout Europe. This is Joseph’s 30th year of hosting Music in the Valley.
KRISTA MONTGOMERY
Krista Montgomery has been involved with managing Music in the Valley since the early 1990s. For nearly 20 years, she was Director of Sales and Marketing for Shawnee Press. Also, she serves as a consultant handling marketing for some Martin Creative Services events and projects. Since 2010, Krista has managed Joseph M. Martin’s Journeys with Joe tours as well as tours for many university, school, community and church choirs. During her time in the travel business, Krista has managed and traveled with Joseph M. Martin's tours to Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Austria, England, Italy, Hungary, Czech Republic, Spain, Hawaii, Washington DC and New England.
PATTI DRENNAN
Patti Drennan is a #1 Billboard charting distinguished songwriter who has an innate ability to create both reflective and powerful music in all genres that is challenging yet accessible.
An active composer and arranger with sales of almost 3 million copies, Patti has over 875 choral octavos published with 10 major publishers. She has served as a regular clinician for choral and composer workshops domestically and internationally and has been a featured speaker at the Texas Music Educators Convention on multiple occasions. She has been an adjudicator for choral contests in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas. Her music has been performed numerous times at regional and national American Choral Director’s Association Conventions. Her work has also been regularly performed at Carnegie Hall and on GRAMMY ® nominated albums.
In addition to her recorded work, Patti has 20+ published piano books which include: The Angels Sing for 4-hand piano; The Cross of Jesus: Reflections for Holy Week and Easter; Sacrifice and Victory; Proclaim Messiah’s Birth; The Prince of Glory – Piano hymns for Holy Week; The Church Pianist’s Library; Faith, Hope and Love; Sacred Treasures for Piano; Celebrate the Newborn King; High King of Heaven; and Shelter in the Time of Storm among others. Her new choral resource book Rebuild and Renew is now available nationwide.
A co-director and singer with the Oklahoma Ambassadors Concert Choir, she has been awarded the Maestro Award and most recently the William S. Roche Award for commitment, dedication and excellence.
Patti is also a Voting Member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMY’S ®), an arranger on the Traditional Pop Vocal GRAMMY ® nominated Aaron Lazar album, Impossible Dream, and a board member with the Oklahoma Ambassadors Concert Choir.
Patti was married to her high school sweetheart of 54 years, Jim Drennan, until a tragic accident in 2022. With grace and poise, she has continued to make powerful and poignant music amidst unimaginably difficult circumstances. She has two grown children: Emily, a soloist with symphonies across the country, recording artist and Broadway/Off-Broadway actress in New York City, and Adam, a Senior Software Engineer for Hulu. She also has a son-in-law and two adorable grandsons.
SEAN PAUL
Sean Paul, a native of Oklahoma, developed a profound love for music at a very young age, which led him to discover his passion for playing the piano and singing. He earned a Bachelor of Music from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Master of Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Sean has served as a Minister of Music in churches across Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma for over 30 years.
In recent years, Sean has embraced the artistic and creative aspects of his music ministry through choral arranging, composition, and orchestration. His works have been published by esteemed publishers such as Hal Leonard, Shawnee Press, Fred Bock Music, Celebrating Grace Inc, Hope Publishing Company, and The Lorenz Corporation.
STEPHEN RODDY
OUR 2026 TEAM
JOSEPH M. MARTIN
Joseph M. Martin a native of North Carolina, earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. Subsequently, he earned a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance at the University of Texas, Austin. Joseph taught for five years in the Piano Pedagogy Department of the University of Texas. He is a member of the staff of Shawnee Press as Director of Sacred Publications, with responsibilities for overseeing the editorial and creative direction of the company’s sacred publications and also coordinating the recording and production aspects of future sacred publishing efforts. With over 2000 publications in print, his music can be heard in such diverse locations as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and in hundreds of worship services in churches across the United States and Canada. In addition, his works have been performed in cathedrals throughout Europe. This is Joseph’s 30th year of hosting Music in the Valley.
KRISTA MONTGOMERY
Krista Montgomery has been involved with managing Music in the Valley since the early 1990s. For nearly 20 years, she was Director of Sales and Marketing for Shawnee Press. Also, she serves as a consultant handling marketing for some Martin Creative Services events and projects. Since 2010, Krista has managed Joseph M. Martin’s Journeys with Joe tours as well as tours for many university, school, community and church choirs. During her time in the travel business, Krista has managed and traveled with Joseph M. Martin's tours to Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Austria, England, Italy, Hungary, Czech Republic, Spain, Hawaii, Washington DC and New England.
PATTI DRENNAN
Patti Drennan is a #1 Billboard charting distinguished songwriter who has an innate ability to create both reflective and powerful music in all genres that is challenging yet accessible.
An active composer and arranger with sales of almost 3 million copies, Patti has over 875 choral octavos published with 10 major publishers. She has served as a regular clinician for choral and composer workshops domestically and internationally and has been a featured speaker at the Texas Music Educators Convention on multiple occasions. She has been an adjudicator for choral contests in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas. Her music has been performed numerous times at regional and national American Choral Director’s Association Conventions. Her work has also been regularly performed at Carnegie Hall and on GRAMMY ® nominated albums.
In addition to her recorded work, Patti has 20+ published piano books which include: The Angels Sing for 4-hand piano; The Cross of Jesus: Reflections for Holy Week and Easter; Sacrifice and Victory; Proclaim Messiah’s Birth; The Prince of Glory – Piano hymns for Holy Week; The Church Pianist’s Library; Faith, Hope and Love; Sacred Treasures for Piano; Celebrate the Newborn King; High King of Heaven; and Shelter in the Time of Storm among others. Her new choral resource book Rebuild and Renew is now available nationwide.
A co-director and singer with the Oklahoma Ambassadors Concert Choir, she has been awarded the Maestro Award and most recently the William S. Roche Award for commitment, dedication and excellence.
Patti is also a Voting Member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMY’S ®), an arranger on the Traditional Pop Vocal GRAMMY ® nominated Aaron Lazar album, Impossible Dream, and a board member with the Oklahoma Ambassadors Concert Choir.
Patti was married to her high school sweetheart of 54 years, Jim Drennan, until a tragic accident in 2022. With grace and poise, she has continued to make powerful and poignant music amidst unimaginably difficult circumstances. She has two grown children: Emily, a soloist with symphonies across the country, recording artist and Broadway/Off-Broadway actress in New York City, and Adam, a Senior Software Engineer for Hulu. She also has a son-in-law and two adorable grandsons.
SEAN PAUL
Sean Paul, a native of Oklahoma, developed a profound love for music at a very young age, which led him to discover his passion for playing the piano and singing. He earned a Bachelor of Music from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Master of Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Sean has served as a Minister of Music in churches across Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma for over 30 years.
In recent years, Sean has embraced the artistic and creative aspects of his music ministry through choral arranging, composition, and orchestration. His works have been published by esteemed publishers such as Hal Leonard, Shawnee Press, Fred Bock Music, Celebrating Grace Inc, Hope Publishing Company, and The Lorenz Corporation.
STEPHEN RODDY
PRICING
SONGFEST
Friday, January 16th, 2026
A Choral Festival for Choir Members & Directors
SONGFEST REGISTRATION
- $50 per Choir Participant -
SONGFEST CONCERT ATTENDANCE
- Open to all Music in the Valley registrants, guests, and to the public -
Tickets are not required
SONGFEST SCHEDULE
Friday, January 16th, 2026
12:00pm — 1:00pm
Registration
1:00pm — 4:30pm
Rehearsal
4:30pm — 6:30pm
Dinner on Your Own
7:00pm
Concert
MUSIC IN THE VALLEY
Saturday, January 17th, 2026
Sacred Choral Reading Sessions
EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION
- $60 per Registrant -
Discounted Rate Valid Through January 1st, 2026
STANDARD REGISTRATION
- $75 per Registrant -
After January 1st, 2026
LUNCH
- $15 per Registrant -
Information on lunch selections will be communicated to you via email as the workshop date approaches.
MUSIC IN THE VALLEY SCHEDULE
Saturday, January 17th, 2026
7:30am — 8:30am
Registration
8:30am — 9:30am
Choral Reading Session 1
9:30am — 10:30am
Choral Reading Session 2
10:30am — 11:30am
Choral Reading Session 3
11:30am — 12:45pm
Lunch
12:45pm — 1:30pm
Choral Reading Session 4
1:30pm — 2:15pm
Choral Reading Session 5
2:15pm — 3:30pm
Choral Reading Session 6