About the Directors

John Maerhofer retired as Division Chair, Music Professor and Director of Choirs at the College of Southern Maryland. He founded two choral groups which performed and recorded extensively. John holds both Bachelor and Master of music degrees. His Doctoral work was at St. John's University in New York.
He is a frequent guest conductor and adjudicator at high school and college choral festivals. He is Director of Music Ministries at All Saints Lutheran Church in Bowie, MD and founder and Music Dircetor of the Acapella Vocal Ensemble (AVE.) John and his wife Amy live in Pomfret, Maryland.

Gretchen Davis has shared her talents with the Chorale for 12 years as a singer, and both Associate and Acting Director. She is a retired music educator including 24 years as high school choral director in Fauquier County. She has also served as the Director of Music at Bethel United Methodist Church since 1987.
Mrs. Davis earned a B.A. in vocal music from Emory & Henry College and has more than thirty hours of advanced credit in music. An Excellence in Teaching grant made possible a life-changing experience at the VoiceCare Network where vocal health is the focus.

Bob Schoenike has directed the Warrenton Chorale Handbell Choir since 2003. A career electrical engineer, Mr. Schoenike has a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Vermont. Throughout this time he has played the euphonium and began directing the newly established handbell choir at Our Saviour Lutheran Church (OSLC) in 1997. The OSLC handbell choir traveled to Germany in the summer of 2006 and played a concert at the Luther Church in Solingen, Germany.

Mr. Schoenike has been tested and certified as Handbell Choir Director by the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR). In addition to being a member of the AGEHR, he is an active member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.

Larke Pain is the current director of the Youth Chorale. She grew up in Burke, Virginia, and sang in various choirs and show groups throughout her youth. Larke moved to Warrenton in 2004 with her 3 girls and husband, Rick Pain. She currently has over 20 piano students. Larke began singing with the adults in the Warrenton Chorale in 2007, became an active board member the next year, and warmly shares her talents with the Chorale.

Music has always been a large part of her life, and she loves teaching and working with young people, so she is thrilled to put these two loves together as director of the Youth Chorale.