Hilary Dow-Ward
Director of Youth Ministry

“Rock chalk... Jay-Hawk...KU.”  Ask Hilary Dow-Ward about the thrill of hearing the famous “Rock Chalk Chant” during a University of Kansas Basketball game at Allen Field House, Lawrence, Kansas.  As a KU Jayhawk and a college basketball fan, Hilary will tell you it is like none other! 

Hilary, a native Kansan, is a 2006 gradate of the University of Kansas, School of Fine Arts, Department of Music and Dance where she earned Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance.  Hilary also studied piano performance, and sang with the KU jazz singers and the KU Chamber Choir.  She performed for many Kansas Honor Program banquets traveling in the university jet with the KU chancellor and alumni to honor scholars in the top 10 percent of senior classes. Hilary is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota Honor Society.

While a KU student, Hilary was employed at the Beach Center on Families and Disability, and the University of Kansas Law School Library.  For three years, Hilary was a choral scholar at Grace Episcopal Cathedral, Topeka, Kansas (where she and her husband were married in October of 2005), and at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, Mo.  Hilary taught elementary school music at Raintree Montessori School, Lawrence as well as teaching private piano lessons, which included hosting monthly recitals and stage day performances.

In July 2006, Hilary and her husband, Dr. Geoffrey Ward, and their kitty, Handsome, moved to Memphis. Last year, Hilary taught grades 2-5 Orff music at Hickory Ridge Elementary School, and was a staff musician at Idlewild Presbyterian Church.  Dr. Ward is Organist and Choir Master at St. John’s Episcopal Church, as well as the Artistic Director of the Memphis Boy Choir/Memphis Chamber Choir.

Hilary enjoys music, art, traveling, exercising, making new friends and staying in touch with old friends.  Hilary says, “I enjoy computers and am always interested in integrating the newest technologies into my daily life. “

Hilary’s favorite Biblical Passage:
Psalm 100-A Song of Praise for the Lord’s Faithfulness to His People

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.  Know that the Lord, He is God;It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.  For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting.  And His truth endures to all generations.

Hilary & Geoff