the
appalachian christmas
quartet

| home | discography | photos/bios | news | feedback | dates | mailing list |

Order the Appalachian Christmas Quartet CDs now!

The Appalachian Christmas Quartet is:
(click names for brief bio)

Michael Aukofer
David Dibbern
Jeanne Anne Aukofer
Rob Loren
Rob Farmer

Concert Scrapbooks
(click links for scrapbooks of previous years' performances)

1998		2003
1999		2004
2000		2005
2001		2006
2002		2008

Michael Aukofer, along with extensive touring and recording with artists Rich Mullins, Mitch McVicker, Phil Keaggy, Ryan Long, and many others, recently completed his academic training in music through the doctoral level with honors! Michael spends the majority of his time now composing, teaching, producing and recording music, as well as working on the completion of his dissertation for the DMA (Doctorate in Musical Arts) from the University of Kentucky titled "Behind the Kit". Many of Michael's original compositions have gained international attention in the past few years through publications in 2004-2008 by Mallet Works Publications, Drop 6 Publications, and C. Alan Publications. The annual Appalachian Christmas Quartet concert mini-tour of Wichita, KS and the surrounding area is one of Michael's favorite projects each year. Michael is currently living in the Chicago area working as Musical Director for West Ridge Community Church. For more info on Michael, visit his web page, or read this 2004 interview with Michael.

David Dibbern has his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Friends University in Wichita, KS. He has played bass and guitar as a freelance musician in the Wichita area for many years. David adds to his credits several recording opportunities in Nashville, TN, and playing in the Community Jazz Band from Friends University in Wichita, KS. He has also co-written a ballet that was published through Studio 4 music in Los Angeles, CA. David's "day gig" is as logistics manager for Koch Industries in Wichita, KS and moonlights as the electric bassist in The Source and the electric guitarist in Broken the Band. Even though he stays busy, David's favorite gig is being a dad to his
seven year old son Dax. Life is good!

Jeanne Anne Aukofer, a Hutchinson KS native, received her Bachelors in Music Performance from Friends University in May 2001 and her Masters in Music Performance from the University of Kentucky in May of 2004. While at the University of Kentucky, she had the opportunity to study with Prof. Gail Robinson, who had an astounding 35-year career with the New York Metropolitan Opera. Since obtaining her Masters, Jeanne Anne has also earned her K-12 music education certificate. While studying for her music education certificate, she was twice awarded the Albert A. Marks, Jr. Scholarship for Teacher Education. She is currently the music teacher, choir director, and private lesson instructor for K-12 at a private school. She has performed with the Appalachian Christmas Quartet since 1999, and became an "official" member in 2002. She is a talented and versatile musician, who, in addition to being a vocalist, plays flute, piccolo, penny whistle, recorders, fife, guitar, and various other instruments, including chime lyres and kazoo! Her contributions to the band can be heard on Coming Home, as well as the band's second album, Gloria.

Rob Loren has always loved the violin, and was inspired by his father, a music educator in Washington state. While attending college as a young man, Rob realized there was more to music than reading it off a printed page. He started on a quest to learn how to improvise, which he did by playing with lots of different groups, utilizing many varied musical styles (one of these groups was Ray Price and the Cherokee Cowboys). After fifteen years he returned to "classical music" and got his degree in Music Education from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Rob has been with USD259 (Wichita Public Schools) for 20 years.  He’s in his 11th year as Orchestra Director at Curtis Middle School, teaches Strings at three elementary schools, and is the Second Violin Coach for the Wichita Symphony Youth Orchestras.  In addition to ACQ, Rob can be seen performing locally with several different groups.

Rob Farmer is a native of Garden Plain Kansas and double-alumus of Friends University. Besides a professional occupation within the Healthcare profession, Rob enjoys many endeavors in the creative arts.  Rob keeps busy as a founding member of the Wichita Caledonian Pipes & Drums, First United Methodist Church of Valley Center's Contemporary Music Director as well as drummer/percussionist for "Broken the Band", "Nikki Modelmog" and the "Backporch Buddha". Rob lives in Wichita with his most excellent wife, Sara and their 16 month-old son, Evan (who by the way is the best little boy ever!)