KENTON SAUNDERS, JR.—MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE FOR THE GENERAL CONFERENCE Posted on Mon, Jun 23 2008
By Daviette Saunders
Kenton Neil Saunders, Jr. is the Director of the Music for the Fifth Episcopal District and leading the choir for the General Conference. One of Wayman’s own, Kenton will be in charge of the melodious sounds that will be heard throughout the America’s Center July 4-11, 2008.
Kenton Neil Saunders, Jr., was singing for Jesus in the youth choir of Wayman AME Church at the age of three. At the age of four, Kenton began showing his interest in the piano and organ, and the following year began taking piano lessons at the Berry Jones and Foster Music Studio. He excelled at music at a remarkable rate and his instructors had to keep pulling him back to the lesson plan because his natural ear for music kept him venturing off on his own. Saunders would add to whatever he was playing and making it uniquely his music.
Kenton began to play for the youth choir at Wayman under the direction of his former music teacher Ernestine Jones-Gordon. He attended Lindberg High School where he became more than just another student--he formed their first gospel choir. The choir began singing at school and was soon requested to sing at other functions both in and out of the schools surrounding area. Saunders continued his musical study through high school and began playing for other churches in the St. Louis area.
Kenton received additional training at both St. Louis Community College and St. Louis University. He accepted a position at Richmond Heights Church of God in Christ as Minister of Music and joined the gospel music group “Final Chapter” as a keyboardist and vocalist. Saunders later worked with the YMCA Boys Choir, where he was eventually appointed as the Director. The choir excelled under his leadership from 25 to over 100 members. In addition, Kenton has held positions as Minister of Music at New Whitestone Missionary Baptist Church and Organist at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church. He is now back at home, serving as the Minister of Music for Wayman AME Church.
For the last four years Kenton has been the Director of the Missouri Conference Choir and two years ago was appointed as the Music Director for the Fifth District Conference Choir. Kenton has travel abroad singing the gospel and praising the Lord, but he has still found time to start his own quartet, “4 Him.”
Kenton is married to Chassidy Saunders and they have two very energetic sons Justin and Jayden.
His slogan song is, “Falling in Love with Jesus was the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Listen to Kenton Saunders leading the choir at the 2008 Good Friday Service
Kenton Neil Saunders, Jr., was singing for Jesus in the youth choir of Wayman AME Church at the age of three. At the age of four, Kenton began showing his interest in the piano and organ, and the following year began taking piano lessons at the Berry Jones and Foster Music Studio. He excelled at music at a remarkable rate and his instructors had to keep pulling him back to the lesson plan because his natural ear for music kept him venturing off on his own. Saunders would add to whatever he was playing and making it uniquely his music. 
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