Micah Hunter is a busy guy — like Batman set to choral music.

By day he teaches a host of classes and choirs at Stillwater Christian School in Kalispell. He also organizes the annual Stillwater Music Festival and works at the Flathead Lake Music Camp.

But at night he’s working on his second master’s degree, investing time with his wife in their online ministry program (School of Sacred Music), corresponding with the Montana State University student teachers that he is supervising locally this semester, and supervising numerous independent study and online courses in music.

Recently added to his list of after-school activities: chorale conductor for Glacier Symphony and Chorale.

“I’ve had a blast so far,” Hunter said. “But then we’ve also only had three rehearsals this season.”

Hunter was raised and graduated high school in Hot Springs. In 2006 he moved to the Flathead Valley and began working as a full-time music teacher at Stillwater Christian.

Three years ago, Hunter and his wife, Rachel, decided to join the Glacier Chorale program. Singing was something they both enjoyed and this was an activity they could do together. Hunter said he looked forward to “just being part of the choir — just singing.”

But chorale conductor Jim Stanard had other plans for him. Hunter said Stanard knew his background and began asking him to take small steps in leadership within the group. He was occasionally asked to lead sectional rehearsals and even conducted a piece at a performance.

When Stanard announced his retirement, Hunter didn’t want to apply for the job. But as time went on and no hires were made (for a variety of reasons), he reconsidered. He applied and ultimately accepted the position this summer.

Hunter said he expects the first season to be mostly “survival mode” as he learns the ropes, but is confident he will be able to rise to the high standards set by Glacier Symphony and Chorale, a “solid and well-run organization.”

He credits the Chorale members for the smooth transition.

“Following in the footsteps of a really good director had the potential to be challenging,” Hunter said. “But [the singers] were prepared with a great attitude. It’s made it an easy adjustment.”

MUSIC WAS an early passion for Hunter. He recalled that he was hooked the first time he heard Handel’s “Messiah.”

Hunter said his parents brought home a recording of the popular choral work when he was in fourth grade. They made plans to listen to it once he went to bed. “I heard the overture from my bedroom and thought it was the greatest thing I’d ever heard,” Hunter said. “I still think it’s the best thing I’ve ever heard. So I got up out of bed and ran downstairs to listen to it. Looking back, I think I kind of ruined date night.”

Hunter’s musical passion developed from there. He played violin from the time he was in fifth grade until he graduated from high school. When he went on to MSU in Bozeman, he knew he was not an adequately accomplished violinist and decided to focus instead on voice studies.

“I started at MSU with a love of music but no expertise,” he said.

That’s when his interest in teaching and love of music began to intersect.

HUNTER DESCRIBED studying education and teaching as “very natural by college.” He had realized sometime in grade school that he wanted to make a career out of teaching; not for the love of working with youth necessarily, but because of his interest in the process and art of teaching.

He studied every teacher he ever had very carefully, observing what worked well and what didn’t in a classroom.

He graduated from MSU with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in 2006. Later that same year he began teaching at Stillwater Christian School. He described the chance to work in both music and education as “a blessing.”

“I don’t separate music and people,” Hunter explained. “What we’re getting after in music — that striving to make it perfect — it’s ultimately the same thing we’re getting after in people.”

“Musicianship is simply solid character lived out in a musical medium. Your drive, your values, the desire to pursue excellence, as well as the ability to practice and perform musically ... It all comes from the same part of you.”

HUNTER PUTS that philosophy in motion every day in the classroom, and now every Thursday when the Glacier Chorale meets to rehearse. He plans to gradually introduce more variety into the chorale repertoire, but for now is excited about the current season. He was also happy to report that Rachel is still singing with the group.

“So it’s still something we get to do together,” he said. “Although she did graciously decide against auditioning for any solos this year.”

“Voices in Autumn” will be Hunter’s first program at the helm of Glacier Chorale and Chamber Singers. Performances are Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center and Nov. 23 at 3 p.m. at Glacier High School.

Those performances will be followed by, ironically, a full Glacier Symphony and Chorale production of Handel’s “Messiah.”

“‘Messiah’ is always fun,” Hunter said. “I’m pretty excited to be a part of that.”

“Messiah” will be performed Dec. 12-14 in Bigfork, Whitefish and Kalispell.

Entertainment editor Stefanie Johnson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.