Music at All Saints'

The Chenaults

Elizabeth and Raymond Chenault, natives of Virginia, completed their bachelor of music degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1972. Mr. Chenault received his master of music degree in organ performance from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in 1974. Upon graduation, he became a Fellow in Church Music at Washington National Cathedral.

In October 1975, the Chenaults became Organist and Choirmasters of All Saints' Episcopal Church in Atlanta, directing the music program and the concert series. From 1976-2007, the Chenaults taught choral music at The Lovett School in Atlanta, where Mr. Chenault was the Director of Fine Arts and Choral Director of the Upper School. Mrs. Chenault was the Choral Director of the Middle School. Their choirs have won many national competitions, and have been featured at conventions for the American Choral Director's, the American Guild of Organists, Chorister's Guild, and the Association of Anglican Musicians, and have sung in Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, Washington National Cathedral, the Cathedral of St. John the Divinie, and for the Piccolo Spoleto Festival USA.

In October of 2007 at a Gala Performance celebrating the Chenaults' combined 62 years of service to Lovett, Headmaster, Billy Peebles, announced that the Hendrix Theater was renamed the Hendrix-Chenault Theater. The name change was an unanimous decision by The Lovett School Board of Trustees and came with the blessing and endorsement of former Headmaster, Dr. James P. Hendrix, Jr. (1991-2003). Upon the completion of the theater in 1995, it was Jim who dedicated the facility as the "house that the Chenaults built." In 2007 the school also established the Chenault Fine Arts Teaching Fund, given by the Richard Lee family, whose three boys sang with the Chenaults. This Fund was added to by numerous families and former students whose lives have been touched by Beth and Ray Chenault. Beth was the recipient of the Woodward Award for Teaching Excellence, the first recipient of the Lee Fine Arts Teaching Excellence Award, and Ray was named STAR teacher of the year in 2007 by senior chorister, Alex Western.

The Chenaults career as duo-organists began in 1979, and since then they have appeared extensively in concerts throughout the United States and in Europe. Specializing in works written for two performers, they have commissioned and premiered over forty organ duets, making a significant historical contribution to this slighted area of organ literature. Because of their unique and refreshing repertoire, combined with their exciting and sensitive artistry, the Chenaults are in demand as recitalists and have established themselves as America’s leading duo-organists. They are represented by Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists.

Recitals by the Chenaults have been critically acclaimed by audiences and critics alike. They have been featured on “Pipedreams” and “Performance Today” on National Public Radio, and were named “Organists of the Year” by the National Music Director Magazine. Mr. Chenault made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1998, conducting Mozart’s Coronation Mass featuring a 220-voice choir, soloists, and orchestra. Additionally, Mr. Chenault is a frequent adjudicator for many choral festivals and is a published composer of choral and organ works. He is a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers).