John D. Ranney
Music Director

John Ranney graduated from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN where he sang in four different musical groups including the Chapel Choir which performed such major works as Bach’s St. Mathew Passion and the B Minor Mass.  While at St. Olaf, he studied voice under Dr. Sigurd Frederickson and Dr. Robert Scholz.  He served as Chief Cantor while studying for his Master of Divinity at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, PA.  He has directed the Choir and Handbell Choir at Reformation Lutheran Church, Milford, DE while at the same time serving as its Pastor for the last 30 years.

He is one of the founding members of the Southern Delaware Choral Society and a passionate supporter of the arts, currently serving on the Delaware State Arts Council.  He has sung bass with SDCS since its inception, occasionally supporting the tenor section when needed.

He was named person of the year for Unity Day in Milford in April, 2006 with a long history of service to the community and the arts.  Ranney co-founded the Second Street Players and has choreographed Milford High School musicals and marching bands for decades.  He is married to the former Margo Thompson and they have two grown sons.

Rebecca McDaniel - Accompanist

Rebecca McDaniel is a graduate of James Madison University, where she also worked as accompanist for shows, recitals and voice lessons. Since re-locating to the Milford area, she has been employed as a piano accompanist, pianist, organist and section leader for the Southern Delaware Choral Society.

She occasionally sings with The Medics, a local jazz group of physicians. She is also soprano soloist with Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rehoboth Beach.

Ms. McDaniel enjoys acting, movie classics and reading mysteries. She resides in Milford with her feline companions, Lilly Anne and Edith Carmella (diva extrordinaire).