About us
The Appalachian Men’s Ensemble is an all-male vocal ensemble of auditioned, volunteer singers from throughout the greater Tri-Cities area. The group is dedicated to performing a wide range of choral repertoire – both sacred and secular – from the late Middle Ages to the present.
AMEn’s programming and presentation of music is vast and varied, featuring a cappella pieces, accompanied songs, rock and pop arrangements, and classical works from a variety of cultures. AMEn is unique in its formation and execution, representing one of the few American male choral ensembles of its size to perform music of such a demanding caliber while also programming popular arrangements and familiar standards. AMEn was founded in the fall of 2013 by Dr. Thomas Jenrette. Dr. Alan Stevens served as Artistic Director in January of 2015 through June 2018. Dr. Noah DeLong was appointed as Artistic Director in July of 2018.
The ensemble typically rehearses for a short period before each concert, and the rehearsal days vary. We ask singers to make a commitment to each concert not the entire year, but singers are welcome to participate in all concert cycles if their schedules allow.
Our current rehearsal location is at Gray Church, 2108 Oak st in Gray TN
Dr. Noah Delong
Artistic Director
Dr. Noah DeLong, is active as a conductor, educator, tenor soloist, collaborative pianist, and church musician who was appointed the Artistic Director for AMEn in July, 2018. DeLong is also an Assistant Professor of Music at Milligan University, where he oversees the choral program, conducts the Concert Choir and leads the select a cappella ensemble, Heritage. Choirs under his direction have toured nationally (singing in Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, and Washington, DC) as well as internationally, including a trip to Ireland in 2018. He also teaches a wide range of courses including applied voice, aural skills, conducting, music technology, and secondary music methods. In addition to his work at Milligan, DeLong serves as the Choir Director at Grandview Christian Church in Johnson City.
DeLong is a frequent guest conductor throughout the local area, including performances of the Faure Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Thompson’s The Testament of Freedom, and the U.S. premiere performance of Stabat Mater by Cecilia McDowall. He has also conducted several choral festivals and was the co-founder of the Men in Song and Women in Song Festivals, held annually on Milligan's campus. In addition, DeLong also regularly contributes to Milligan’s musical theatre program, collaborating on recent productions of Godspell, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Songs for a New World, and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
His solo performance credits include leading operatic roles of Tamino in The Magic Flute and Alfred in Die Fledermaus, as well as tenor soloist in performances of Handel’s Foundling Hospital Anthem and Messiah, J.S. Bach’s Magnificat in D Major and Coffee Cantata, Dubois’ Seven Last Words of Christ, and Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy.
A native of Indiana, DeLong holds degrees from Taylor University and Ball State University, and later earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from The University of Iowa. He is a member of ACDA and NAfME and previously worked as the Assistant Choral Director at Earlham College and Music Director at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Muncie, Indiana. In his free time, he enjoys reading, hiking, baking, and spending time with his family.
Board of Directors:
President: David Frost
Vice President: Brooke Atchley
Secretary: Debbie Sexton
Treasurer: Jes Sutton
Members at Large: Brent Leach, Whit Morison, Jamie Stephens Jr., Collin Hundley