10-Year Chorus Member: Carolyn Hill

Soprano Carolyn Hill celebrated her 10th anniversary with the May Festival Chorus this season, and we couldn’t be happier to have this music lover and educator in our chorus family! In this video, she plays an excerpt from “Mixed bag” by Anthony Herschel Hill.

After growing up in Miamisburg, Carolyn attended Kentucky Christian College (now University) in the eastern foothills of Kentucky. There, she majored in Bible studies and elementary education. Later on, she returned to school to earn her music degree from Wright State University.

Carolyn and her husband Jeff first met in 1980 at her home church, Miamisburg Church of Christ, when he sang in a trio that traveled from congregation to congregation to sing gospel music. After a couple years, their relationship really took off. They began dating in January of 1982, were engaged by Easter in the spring, and were married the following October, just as soon as Carolyn had turned 18. The couple are getting ready to celebrate 40 wonderful years of marriage in 2022.

For the past 20 years, the Hills have been leading the congregation at Connections Christian Church in Madeira, where Jeff serves as Lead Pastor and Carolyn is the Children’s and Youth Director. Her passion for Christ and musical talents have served her well in this role, where she also helps Jeff lead worship services.

In addition to working with youth at Connections Christian Church, Carolyn has taught in the music lesson program at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy for 18 years and also teaches music to preschoolers. She says, “I’m so blessed to do what I do. The students are wonderful!”

One of Carolyn’s favorite funny moments from her many performances with the May Festival was during a chamber choir performance. While they were singing a selected song from Mendelssohn’s Elijah, the lights turned off while they were singing, only to come back on during the phrase, “Through darkness riseth light to shine upon the upright.” Perhaps their voices inspired the electrical system?

Carolyn says, “The May Festival Chorus is a wonderful personal and professional opportunity. I believe the human voice is the most beautiful of instruments. Solo singing is great, but when you get a group of people putting their gifts together, the result, in this choir, is extraordinary. I can’t wait to hear it again. I think I’ll cry!”

Join us in congratulating Carolyn on a fantastic 10 years with the May Festival Chorus! There’s still time to audition for the 2022 Festival. Click here to learn more.