The Mystic Area Ecumenical Council will sponsor the 2017 Choir Festival Concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at Noank Baptist Church, 18 Cathedral Heights, Noank. Children, youth and adult singers from 12 area churches will combine in this festival worship service. Over the past 49 years, this annual event has featured many internationally known choral directors and composers. This year's festival director will be Mark Daniel Merritt, formerly of Noank and an ASCAP composer and arranger.

Merritt grew up in Noank, attending Noank School and Cutler Junior High School. He earned his B.S. degree in sacred music from Liberty University and a masters in choral conducting from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He is currently director of music ministries at Grace United Methodist Church in Columbia, S.C., and has previously served Episcopal, Presbyterian and Baptist churches.

Merritt will lead a free workshop for choir directors, music teachers and singers at 8 p.m. Friday at Noank Baptist Church. This will follow the open adult rehearsal he will lead from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The workshop, entitled “Crash Course in the Human Voice for Church Choir Singers and their Directors,” will offer tips on choral preparation and vocal production. Refreshments will be served.

A free-will offering will be taken at the festival concert. For more information, call (860) 536-7129.