Maranatha Touring Choir

About Us

Maranatha Touring Choir is an Interdenominational Christian Choir composed of young musicians from eighth grade through college from Fredericksburg, Virginia, and its surrounding communities. The purpose of the choir is to inspire people for Jesus Christ by sharing God’s Word through musical presentations. This is accomplished through a strong spiritual emphasis.

 

The choir was established in 1972 by the late Carroll P and Mary Louise Kelly, and Carlton and Shirley Onderdonk. The original group consisted of 40 voices who chose the name Maranatha, meaning “Come, Lord Jesus” in Aramaic, from I Corinthians 16:22. The group is now over 80 members strong and includes an instrumental ensemble. The Choir’s membership typically represents more that 40 churches, 15 schools, 10 colleges and universities as well as home-schooling families.

          

Each year the choir performs two programs, a musical drama and a concert program. The concert programs represent a wide variety of musical styles from classical to contemporary, and have included specially commissioned works.

 

Since 1972, we have presented concerts in over 130 cities in over 30 states and Canada.  Some 2,000 young people and over 100 adult leaders have participated in the Choir. We are pleased to see many children of former members participating in the choir. The choir sings in nursing homes, prisons, homeless shelters, campgrounds, and amusement parks – wherever the Lord leads them.