Biographies

Elizabeth Pike Murdock, soprano, holds a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Brigham Young University’s School of Music. Liz has twice been the featured soprano soloist with the Chorale and Orchestra at Temple Square where she’s performed Poulenc’s Gloria and Faure’s Requiem. She has played Mary Magdalene in Savior of the World at the LDS Conference Center. Her opera credits include Mimi in La Boheme and Pamina in The Magic Flute.

She has also performed as a soprano soloist in Orff’s Carmina Burana, Rutter’s Mass of the Children, Mozart’s Requiem, and Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem. She was a district finalist in the Metropolitan Opera competition, a Semi-Finalist in the Leni Fe Bland Competition in Santa Barbara.

Liz teaches Let’s Play Music, a group music class for young children, and maintains a voice studio out of her home in Salt Lake City where she resides with her husband, Rick, and their 5 budding singers.

Rick Murdock, baritone, also graduated from BYU’s School of Music. His day job is in training and development where he works as an internal leadership consultant for the State of Utah and as adjunct faculty at BYU’s business school.

His performance credits include Musical Theatre, Opera, Solo, and Ensemble work.  He has most recently been seen as Pulitzer in Centerpoint Theater’s Newsies! He has played various roles in the LDS Church’s production of Savior of the World at the Conference Center Theatre in Salt Lake City.

For the last 12 years, he has sung with Voice Male, a popular, Utah-based six-man a cappella group. He’s the author of Convergence, a novel. His favorite performances are like tonight’s, where he can stand next to Liz, his wife of 21 years. 

Patrick Franks, organ, began his music career at age four, surprising family members with pieces he had taught himself by ear. He then began taking private lessons through various instructors in Northern Utah and at Brigham Young University until he graduated from high school.

He was offered full tuition scholarships throughout his college years, which helped him advance his talents. During that time, he spent many hours accompanying the college choirs, chamber groups, and vocal soloists and by performing as a piano soloist himself.

It was during his college years that Patrick learned to play the organ. He spent many hours under the direction of the renown Ms. Edna Lu Jennings, a past Dean of the American Guild of Organists (St. George/Cedar Chapter), member of the Dixie College music faculty, and founder of the Dixie College Concert Organ Series. Patrick continues to play the organ for church congregations, choirs, special music events, and as a soloist.

 Patrick is married to Christi Franks, a vocal soloist whom he would often accompany during their college years. Together, they have five children, all of whom have varying interests in music. Patrick and his family are proud to call the Treasure Valley their home and continue to make music a part of their lives.