Jesus.. Music… If you had to describe Mel Wilhoit’s North Star in just two words, those would be the two.
Mel was born into a musical family in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which soon moved to Greenville, South Carolina, where his father took a position teaching piano at Bob Jones University. His mother sang, and Mel played trumpet, sang in the high school choir and performed in church. For college, he remained close to home, matriculating as a music major at Bob Jones University. Graduate school took him first to Minnesota State University for a master of music and then to Louisville, Kentucky, where he received a doctor of musical arts from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Once he finished his formal studies and married, Mel, his wife Susan, two daughters and a son settled in for about 35 years at Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee, where Mel was professor of music and fine arts until his retirement. Susan is an artist in her own right–a calligrapher and water colorist. What lured Mel and Susan to Maryland was family in Aberdeen and of course the three grandchildren!
Mel can’t remember a time when he wasn’t a Christian, having been raised in a revivalist, Bible-teaching church. While Central Presbyterian differs in many respects from the church in which he was brought up, Mel said that he was impressed by the church’s commitment to teaching the Gospel, the level of Biblical literacy, and the spiritual maturity of many of the members. He and Susan started attending about eleven years ago.
Two years later, Mel became director of Central’s chancel choir, and Susan also joined. In taking on this ministry, Mel found that Central’s vision for traditional worship squared with his own: to glorify God; minister to the saints; and spread the Gospel. As good as Central’s choir is, it doesn’t perform to entertain the congregation, but instead is an integral part of worship, encouraging congregational involvement, reinforcing the Word and the message, and drawing us together into a sacred space.
Under Mel’s leadership, the choir has reached new musical heights. There are many longtime dedicated choir members who have recently been joined by an influx of new people. Some of these talented young people are studying at local universities or conservatories. Seeing their musical gifts as a calling, they want to use them in service to Christ and His church. Mel also credits the choir’s success to key folks like the traditional worship director and choir accompanist, Robin Mundey—whom he calls the choir’s “secret sauce.” Mel feels blessed to minister in a traditional service that is dynamic and vital.
Camaraderie and mutual concern mark the ethos of the choir, which even has a chaplain, John Shedwick. Outreach, too, is part of the ministry, including singing at retirement communities and in other churches. Most importantly, the choir relentlessly pursues a goal—excellence in the service of Christ and his church through singing.
When asked about his interests, not surprisingly Mel mentions the groups he sings with including Baltimore Choral Arts, Bach in Baltimore, and Heart of Maryland Barbershop Chorus. Last year, he published a 740-page book, Sing Me A Sankey: The Story of Ira D. Sankey and the Rise of Gospel Hymnody, Volume I, 1750-1883. Sankey was selected by Dwight L. Moody to join in his religious revival campaigns in America and Great Britain in the late 19th century, and he pioneered a musical style that has influenced the church for generations. Mel is currently working on Volume II. Mel and Susan love to travel, which gives them opportunities to see the great cathedrals and museums of Europe and to enjoy great music.
Mel’s favorite sacred music? Bach’s cantatas and Mendelssohn’s Elijah.
