Artistic Director

With regard to choral music, Mr. Morton is quoted as saying: “In a world teeming with forces that divide, choral singing expresses, encourages, and exemplifies a true sense of community.”


Stephen Morton brings a rich and diverse background to leadership roles with the and the American Chamber Chorale and Orchestra with extensive experience as a conductor, teacher, and singer.  Mr. Morton’s education includes undergraduate and graduate degrees from Milligan College and the University of Tennessee (respectively), and postgraduate work at the St. Louis Conservatory of Music. As a singer, Mr. Morton has sung leading bass-baritone roles in opera and oratorio in Europe and the United States, and studied voice with the renowned Edward Zambara.

Mr. Morton began engaging the area’s finest orchestra players in January of 2016 to form the Salem Chamber Orchestra. With the exception of the first Sunday each month, the Salem Chamber Orchestra plays for the 11:00 am Traditional worship service at Salem Methodist Church each Sunday as part of a truly unique worship experience. Worship at Salem is further enhanced by frequent collaborations between the Salem Chamber Orchestra and Salem’s exceptional Chancel Choir as well as guest artists from Opera Theatre of St. Louis, the St. Louis Symphony, the MUNY, and Jazz at the Bistro.

Mr. Morton also serves as Director of Traditional Worship and Music at Salem Methodist Church and Music Director of the Salem Chamber Orchestra. As a guest conductor, Mr. Morton has appeared locally with choruses of St. Louis University, Washington University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, numerous community choruses, and All-District Choirs. Mr. Morton previously wrote and hosted the inspirational program, Behind The Music, which originally aired on Classic 99 and was later broadcast on radio stations around the U.S. Under Mr. Morton’s leadership, the American Chamber Chorale is known for creative programming and outstanding performances of both classical and modern choral art music. ACC concerts frequently incorporate many other artistic disciplines into concerts. Past concerts have featured players of native instruments of China, Africa, and Japan, and ethnic dance, ballet, story-telling, multi-media, and marionettes.

The American Chamber Chorale has included benefit concerts for several seasons. Charities who received proceeds from ACC concerts in the past include Lutheran Family and Children’s Services, Lydia’s House, Youth in Need, Emmaus Homes, Shalom House, Let’s Start, Kingdom House, Habitat For Humanity, and Isaiah 58.