Shawnee Peace & Praise is an ecumenical Christian community choir that seeks to build vibrant community and promote well-being and peace through our shared love of music and desire to praise God through singing. We perform an eclectic mix of sacred and inspiring secular music at concerts, local venues, and competitions.

We seek to contribute in a meaningful way to the common good in our local community, and to bridge political and religious differences through the shared language of music.

We embrace the teachings of Jesus to love God and to love one another, extending grace and kindness to one another and to the community.  Beyond this, we have no creed, respecting one another’s unique spiritual journey. There is no requirement for church attendance or affiliation.

We welcome all people who love music, and we celebrate our differences, knowing there is strength in diversity united by a common aim: sharing God’s love through music.

We support our community through our performances, seeking to inspire and encourage. We also wish to raise awareness and help support issues related to children’s health and safety, children’s music education, and respiratory health.

Most of our music is rooted in the Christian tradition, but we also take inspiration where we find it, which sometimes includes music from other faith traditions and secular selections.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. -Psalm 100

Dr. Rian Ada Hunter is our founder and Artistic Director. She is a singer, voice teacher, and has a great deal of experience leading worship and in music ministry. She holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Studies (a branch of philosophy) from the University of Oklahoma, specializing in spirituality & education and religious liberty. She is a certified spiritual director and also has a Masters in Religion from Oklahoma City University and a BA in philosophy and theology from St. Gregory’s.

Dr. Michael Dean is our accompanist. Dr. Dean is an accomplished pianist who taught for many years at Oklahoma Baptist University and now runs a private piano studio in Shawnee.

Members are expected to pay for their own sheet music. Please budget about $45-$50 for each half-season (Fall/Christmas & Spring/Early Summer).

Members must also furnish their own performance attire which is usually something most people already have in their wardrobe and varies from concert to concert. We do not wear robes or formal attire.

All adults living or working in or near Shawnee are welcome to join our choir. We do not have formal auditions—just section placements, but no singers will be turned away. Beginners are just as welcome as experienced singers.

All members are expected to sign our membership agreement which specifies member expectations (everything from attendance to behavior at rehearsals, etc.).

We rehearse at First Christian Church in Shawnee (1625 N Broadway). It is a very welcoming church and is generously offering us rehearsal space at no charge. We rehearse in Fellowship Hall, which is a large space on the bottom floor with easy access to parking and restroom facilities.

We have an eclectic repertoire. We sing gospel, contemporary Christian, an occasional secular piece, and a dash of traditional from time to time. Our director is a classically trained singer, but her own repertoire widely varies to include classical, opera, broadway & musical theatre, jazz, standards and country, and she carries that variety into our choral selections.

In terms of energy, while some of our pieces are reflective, the majority of them are upbeat.

Not everyone who loves community music sings! We want this project to include everyone who believes in our mission. We welcome people who want to help us organize, promote the choir, and recruit members. Whatever your skills, we surely have a place for you! And, if you have experience with sound engineering, photography, videography, audio/video recording, graphic design, and lighting, we would love your help.

We also need instrumentalists to join us! We’re currently seeking guitarists (including bass), and a cellist.