Music Department Staff

Dr. Kevin M. Clarke
Organist and Choirmaster

As Director of Music and Organist, Mr. Clarke brings to Church of the Incarnation outstanding credentials in musical training and expertise. He obtained his Bachelor of Music degree cum laude from Rhode Island College and his Masters in Music from the New England Conservatory in Boston. Upon graduation, he served as Organist and Choirmaster at St. John's Anglican Church, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. He was then named a Fellow in Church Music at the Washington National Cathedral.

Mr. Clarke has also served as Cathedral Organ Scholar in Bristol, England and as Assistant Organist and Choirmaster at St. John the Divine in Houston. He has been featured on the Bay Cities, Prospect and Pro Organo recording labels and has recorded a bi-weekly program for radio station WRR 101.1FM. He is a member of the Royal College of Organists and the American Musicological Society; serves as head of the Diocesan Music Commission; and has been named to the International Who's Who of Music. Mr. Clarke works with a dedicated staff and crew of over 200 volunteers, staff singers, assistant organists, patrons, benefactors and advisory committees. In May 2002 he was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) from the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas.

Compositions by Kevin M Clarke 

Chants:

  Psalm 33
 Psalm 43
   Psalm 121 

Introits:
Advent
Christmas
Lent
Easter
Pentecost
Jubilate Deo in F
Lo, How a Rose
Matin Responsory
Missa Minneapolis
Phos Hilaron
Procession on Haec Dies
Responses 1979
Three Lenten Motets
Various brass arrangements
 

Mr. Jim Carter
Music Department Administrator

 Mr. D. Keith Franks
Assistant Sub-Organist

 
Keith Franks, Assistant Organist at Church of the Incarnation since 1996, grew up near the Gulf Coast of Southeast Texas in the city of Vidor. He earned his Bachelor of Music in piano and Master of Music in music education from the University of North Texas. 

Keith lived in San Francisco as a young adult and sang alto in the Choir of Grace Cathedral for eight years. Upon returning to Dallas he sang with the St. Mark's School of Texas Evensong Choir with whom he sang in residence at Westminster Abbey; St. George's Chapel, Windsor; St. Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh and York Minster in 1988 and 1990. 

Keith has accompanied the Incarnation choirs on the organ for three tours to England in 1998, 2000 and 2002 at Chichester, Wells, Lincoln and Southwark Cathedrals and Westminster Abbey. He has served as the organist for several Incarnation CD's. The American Record Guide review of the With Angels and Archangels CD congratulated Keith on his registrations and "insistent, anxious interjections" in the Langlais Messe Solennelle.
 

Keith has taught class piano and choir in the Dallas Public Schools and currently teaches World History at North Dallas High School. He annually brings his classes from NDHS to Incarnation each Spring on a walking field trip pipe organ experience. 

Mr. John J.H. Hammond
Assistant Organist and Choirmaster

John. J. H. Hammond, Assistant organist and Choirmaster at the Church of the Incarnation, received the Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude from The University of the South in 2006 with majors in music (organ performance) and Latin Literature, and a minor in ancient Greek. While at The University of the South, Hammond functioned in multiple leadership roles, including serving as head of student government, and as a member of the University's Board of Trustees. He studied organ with Robert Delcamp and David Briggs, and took part with the University Choir as organist and chorister in week-long residences at York Minster and Wells Cathedral in England. He is currently pursuing the Master of Sacred Music degree at Southern Methodist University, where he studies organ with Larry Palmer and sacred music with Michael Hawn and Christopher Anderson. In addition, Hammond serves as Carillonneur at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe. 

In 2001, Hammond was awarded full carillonneur membership in the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, one of the youngest performers ever to achieve that distinction. He has presented numerous carillon recitals throughout the United States and abroad, and has published several original compositions for the instrument, available from American Carillon Music Editions. He served as Chapel Carillonneur at The University of the South form 2002 to 2006. 

At the Church of the Incarnation, Hammond assists the planning, accompaniment, and direction of the Adult Choirs, directs the Incarnation Handbell Choir and the Children's Choir, and serves as music department liaison to the 9:00AM Family Eucharist in the Memorial Chapel. 

Ms. Robin Cate
Director of the Cherub Choir

Robin Cate, native of Boulder, Colorado, and long-time resident of Texas and Louisiana, is the director of the Incarnation Cherub Choir. The Cherub Choir provides Kindergarten through Second Grade-age children the opportunity to learn singing techniques, simple yet liturgical music and then to fellowship with one another at "Pizza Time". We meet on Wednesdays during the school year and sing the prelude at the 9 o'clock services in the Church and the Chapel about once a month during that period. Robin has served in this capacity since 2002. She is also a member of the Incarnation Chancel Choir, where she is thrilled to be a part of a group that sings such glorious music to the glory of God.

Robin is a two-time graduate of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge having earned a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism and a Bachelor of Music Education with an emphasis in Voice. At LSU, Robin was active in Kappa Kappa Gamma and was the host of the Morning Show and Production Director at KLSU. During both degree programs, Robin was active in several LSU choral ensembles including being a founding member of the Schola Cantorum, and a member of the Chamber Singers and the nationally recognized A Capella choir under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Fulton.. While in Baton Rouge, Robin performed recitals, debuted several pieces by a fellow LSU graduate and sang with area church choirs at St. Alban's Episcopal and St. Joseph's Cathedral (Catholic). She also directed the First and Second grade choir at First United Methodist Church.

Robin is a member of NEA (the National Association of Educators) and TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association). As an elementary music teacher at the Arahapo Classical Magnet School in Richardson, Robin brings her love of children combined with musical and management expertise to her duties at Incarnation.

Mr. Justin Brooks
Director of the Uptown Worship Ensemble

Justin Brooks is a native of Beaumont, Texas where he honed his skills as a guitarist, drummer, keyboardist and songwriter. Joining the Uptown @ Church of the Incarnation’s staff in February 2006, he serves as the Worship Music Leader for the Uptown congregation and is responsible for conducting the worship ensemble and composing original music for the service.
 

Upon graduation from high school, Justin moved to Dallas to attend Dallas Baptist University, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Music Business in 2004. In his tenure at DBU, he studied voice under Prof. Donna Holden and was a member of the esteemed Chamber Singers under the direction of Dr. Stephen Holcomb, and had the opportunity to perform at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, St. Giles in Edinburgh, as well as the memorial service for Tom Landry.
 

While in college Justin toured the country with his band leading worship music professionally, performing at venues such as Metro Bible Study in Houston, Texas, Ft. Worth Convention Center and Will Rogers Theater. These opportunities allowed him to perform as the opener for national recording artists such as Newsboys and The Elms. He has released two full length albums with his band, and has written, conducted, and played instruments on various professional recordings, some of which have been nationally released. Also a lover of theater, Justin has been fortunate to have been cast as the lead role in various stage productions of Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
 

Justin comes to Uptown @ Incarnation from Fellowship of Stonebridge in McKinney, Texas where he served as Music and Outreach Director. Before that he served as Interim Worship Leader for a contemporary service at Highland Terrace Baptist Church in Greenville, Texas. Justin is extremely thankful for God bringing him to Uptown @ Incarnation and prays his gifts will be used to bring a fresh energy and allow people to worship God in spirit and truth. 

Justin and his wife Tiffany live in Plano, Texas and are excited about what God is doing at Church of the Incarnation.