References
Click on each referer's name to disclose more information
Joel Wood, pastor, Hixson First Baptist Church (Chattanooga, TN):
"I would like to commend to you the music ministry of Michael Mays.
It has been my joy to serve as Michael and Joy's pastor for many years."
"I have come to know and appreciate
their hearts for worship, praise, dedication and all that is part of their ministry for the Lord Jesus.
"Michael's music style is uplifting, engaging, and most of all, Christ-honoring.
His powerful tenor voice has gifted him to communicate biblical truth that moves the heart. His love for
Christ and His church is very evident in his concerts when ministering to God's people.
"Without hesitation I recommend Michael to you and am confident you will be well pleased.
When you are looking for music integrity, dependability, joyful presentation with a variety of style,
all of these traits are found in Michael Mays."
Glenn Draper, Music Director, Changed Lives Ministries (Chattanooga, TN):
"My life has been blessed by working with many outstanding singers
and soloists for the past fifty years. Many of them are in full-time music employment around the world.
"Michael Mays is one of them. He sang with me for four years at the University of Tennessee
at Chattanooga as a student, in the Junaluska Singers, and in my own group, the Glenn Draper Singers.
"He received his master's degree from Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
He is presently teaching as a professor in the music department at Tennessee Temple University here in
Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is concertizing in various churches on the weekends.
"Michael is one of those rare individuals who has a heart for the Lord, people, and music. I wholeheartedly
recommend him to come to your church for a Michael Mays sacred musical experience."
Stan Warren, professor of voice, Union University (Jackson, TN):
"Michael is a fine musician with excellent command of a beautiful tenor voice. He
controls his instrument with ease and grace, and his diction and sense of
phrasing have been first rate, both on the conert stage and in the classroom.
Michael is also a person of integrity whose life reflects the values of his Christian
faith.
"Michael possesses all the qualities necessary to become a successful voice
teacher. He understands and uses his own voice exceptionally well, is patient and
compassionate, and has strong musicianship skills. I recommend him heartily
and without reservation."
Robert Regal, author and voice teacher (Chattanooga, TN):
"It was a thrill and a challenge to work with
this full blown lyric tenor with a good grasp of opera and artistic literature, a
command of hymn and gospel literature both historic, conservative, and
contemporary. He composes most of his own contemporary music. It is not the
'rock' and 'pop' stylings of the current contemporary offering, but both the music
and its text contain substance and quality.
"It has been made known to me that he knows no stranges and communicates
very well with all ages. He is at home in both the class room and the studio.
Michael Mays would be an asset to any musical, educational program, or
ministry. He would fit well into any public or Christian School setting. Michael is
completed by his wife, an outstanding pianist of the first order. I would highly recommend
Mr. Michael Mays."
Jo Anne Smith, First Baptist Church (Palestine, TX):
"Since Sunday, I have thought and prayed about you and your family a great
deal. You have no idea how your humble spirit and talent touched my husband
and me. There is no doubt that God has chosen you to be used greatly for His
Kingdom. Not only do you have unspeakable talent, but you are blessed to have a wife
who is not only gifted in her own right, but is very willing to help support
your talent with hers."
"Michael, this letter is coming from me personally
and is not written on behalf of the church or the committee. I just had to let you know how you touched me -
and, quite frankly, the choir and church members (and committee) all loved you. We know you were under an
enormous amount of stress and under quite a handicap not having been able to practice with the substitute
pianist. My husband and I both felt we truly worshipped Sunday."
"Michael, I know that it would have to truly be
God's will for you to come to this community. Though we have a lot of talented and gifted people,
I don't know that there has ever been a talent here like yours.
J. David Robinson, professor of voice,
Southwestern Seminary (Fort Worth, TX):
"Please accept this letter as recommendation for Michael Mays.
I have known Mr. Mays for a period of three years while he has been a student here at Southwestern Seminary.
During that time, he took two classes in Voice Pedagogy from me. He showed remarkable aptitude for teaching
the singing voice, as well as a wonderful curiousity for learning more about its function.
"As a singer, Mr. Mays has demonstrated considerable musical ability and beauty
of voice. I have been glad to recommend him for several singing engagements in which I have been involved as soloist.
"I have enjoyed getting to know him on a personal level during times of travel and performing.
He has demonstrated a wonderful level of collegiality and caring for the other people involved in these performances."
