St. Paul's Church of Palmer

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH WELCOMES NEW MINISTER OF MUSIC

 

WES HUNTER

 

Accomplished Tenor Begins Music Ministry Role  

at St. Paul’s Church of Palmer  

 

Wes, who is also full-time music teacher at Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley, begins his ministry at St. Paul’s on September 8th at its Sunday Morning worship service. Barbara Stone, long time St. Paul’s organist, passes on her eighteen yearlong role to Wes. Wes and his husband Marc reside in Western Massachusetts.

 

Under Wes Hunter’s leadership, music at St. Paul’s church promises to feature a unique combination of hymns, folk and popular music, classical pieces as well as contemporary worship songs. St. Paul’s choir will reconvene after its cessation during the Covid 19 years. Performances and concerts by students from Berkshire Hills Music Academy, as well as special concerts will round out the music ministry at the church. On December 1st a Brass Fanfare Concert will be hosted by St. Paul’s.

 

Wes Hunter is a gifted tenor, and pianist. Originating his musical journey on the French horn and piano, Wes ultimately established himself as a sought-after soloist, choral/ensemble singer, and church musician in the Washington, D.C. and Boston areas. He studied voice at both the University of Maryland, College Park and The Boston Conservatory where he received a BM and MM in voice and opera, respectively. Career highlights include being an ongoing featured soloist in The Boston Pops, The National Symphony Orchestra, Sarasota Opera, and Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras. He is a member of the Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley, MA. A unique college-like, residential program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

 

Wes is also a performer and organizer of Opera on Tap (OOT). “Opera on Tap’s mission is to create new performance opportunities for Boston’s vibrant classical singer community. With live shows in unconventional venues ranging from public parks to bars to farmer’s markets across greater Boston, audiences of all ages and cultural backgrounds are introduced to opera in performance formats that are fun, inclusive and accessible.

 

”Wes’s Operatic repertoire focuses on the bel canto style, sacred music, and art song. While attending the University of Maryland he made his operatic stage debut as Monostatos in W.A. Mozart's Die Zauberflöte with Hub Opera Ensemble. He is active as a freelance singer since 2013.

 

Praised for his "drama, heart, and shining tone," he is emerging as a charismatic interpreter of both standard repertoire and new works. He has performed a variety of styles ranging from Baroque opera to new concert works. Hunter debuted his solo cabaret to a sold-out audience at Club Café in Boston, featuring various selections from musical theatre composers. He has also been a creator/performer of cabarets.

 

Wes has had extensive experience in church music as well in the Boston and greater DC Metropolitan area. He most recently led worship music at St. Ignatius Parish, Chestnut Hill for nine years.