Paul Shelor – QAYC Concert Choir Director

Paul Shelor
QAYC Concert Choir Director

Paul Shelor has a BS degree in Biblical Studies from Emmaus University, a BA degree in Music from Clarke University, and a Masters of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri Conservatory of Music (Kansas City), where he studied under the renowned choral conductor and teacher Dr. Eph Ehly. In 1992, Mr. Shelor began his career as the general music and choir director at QJHS. Now after 34 years of teaching he has retired as the director of choirs at Quincy Sr. High School. Mr. Shelor will be serving as guest conductor for the Illinois Music Educators All State conference for the 4th & 5th grade choirs in January 2027.

As a vocalist, Shelor has performed many supporting roles with Quincy’s Muddy River Opera Company, most recently as Morales in Bizet’s Carmen. He has performed as a soloist with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, including the role of Elijah in Mendelssohn’s Elijah in 2000, and the bass solos in the 1997 and 2002 performances of Handel’s Messiah. In 2012, Mr. Shelor was the baritone soloist for John Rutter’s Mass of the Children, performed by the QSO, Symphony Chorus, and Quincy Area Youth Chorus. Shelor has served as the chorus master for several MROC productions, and also serves as guest conductor for Quincy Conservatory of Music's Piano Ensemble Festival.

First conducting the QAYC’s Kinderchor in 1995, Shelor was appointed as the Concert Choir conductor in 2000. In 2009 he took singers from both groups to England, where they concertized and had a workshop with the English choral conductor Jonathan Willcocks. Paul and his wife Mary, a piano teacher and collaborative pianist, frequently work as a team in area music endeavors. Paul is an avid and enthusiastic table tennis player and biker. He enjoys helping Mary in her responsibilities as Drop Off Team Leader for one of the Quincy locations for Operation Christmas Child.