D. LINDA McKECHNIE (b. 1941) Linda grew up in Cherry Hill, NJ, in a very musical family and started playing the piano at the age of four. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Sacred Music from Nyack College, New York. She has served Presbyterian churches in New York, Oklahoma, and Texas as organist, and director of adult and children singing and ringing choirs. Linda is recognized for her great contribution to the art of handbell ringing as a publisher of over 50 handbell titles, a clinician for handbell conferences, and a past-president of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. After raising a family and being deeply involved in helping to expand her husband's ministry, God opened new possibilities. At the age of 49, Linda signed her first recording contract with Brentwood Music. Now with six albums, and a seventh soon to be recorded with the London Symphony, Linda's ministry is exploding. With Agape/Hope Publishing, she has published a number of handbell compositions. Several have been scored for orchestra accompaniment. She plays an active leadership role at Grace Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX, where her husband, David, is pastor. Together they often lead retreats and conferences as a team utilizing the ministry of music to enhance the ministry of the Word.
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