The vision for E Flat Major Productions, LLC was realized to fulfill the need for a parent company to the various capacities offered by owner and operated Dr. Antonia Arnold-McFarland. It serves as a management and strategy base for the cultivation of faith-based creative arts and cultural expressions. The primary products and services currently offered include bookings for Blessed Union, The Group and the consulting and training services of Gospel Music One Sound Project. Most recently, it is the publishing and promotion company for her new release Moving Forward and Facing the Future.
The visionary Dr. Antonia Arnold-McFarland is a music ministry consultant/strategist, adjunct professor and author in the African American Worship Experience. “Toni”, as she is known, has over 25 years of music ministry experience in various capacities utilizing her vocal, piano, and directing skills in churches in the Raleigh-Durham area. She often is asked to expand her abilities beyond music to teach, speak and consult in ministry organization, planning, operations, life skills, discipleship and leadership training. Toni can also be seen in the community serving and rendering live performances with Blessed Union, The Group which she co-founded with her husband Tony McFarland , Sr. He is an accomplished guitarist and they are known in their local gospel music venue as the Toneez.
Toni’s education and work experience has uniquely positioned her for this mission and calling. Her formal education includes a minor in African American Studies, B.S in Mechanical Engineering, continued study in music theory and music literature (N. C. State University, Raleigh, NC), Sacred Music classes (North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC) an MBA in Global Management (University of Phoenix Raleigh Campus), an industry recognized certification in process and product quality ( Certified Six Sigma Black Belt awarded by the American Society for Quality) and a Doctor of Ministry in Creative Arts (Graduate Theological Foundation of Mishawaka, IN). Toni’s doctoral research was on the Evolution of African-American Worship, from Music Ministry to Music Industry, as pursued by the Independent Gospel Artist (from the Thomas Dorsey to Kirk Franklin Era).
She was awarded the Charles Wesley Prize for Sacred Music and Liturgy for her outstanding research. This honor was only awarded to 3 out of 100 graduates. While at her Graduation Convocation Weekend in May 2016, each of the three recipients was asked to speak briefly on their research project. Visit GTF Student Weekend Presentations 2016 to watch her discussion.
Post-Graduation, Toni has been busy applying her expertise as a music ministry consultant and as and part-time adjunct professor along side her full time employment at Deere and Company. She works in her academia capacity at Eastern Carolina Christian College and Seminary (based in Roanoke Rapids, NC), where she serves on the doctoral defense committee.
Toni works full time for the corporate office of a major manufacturing as a project coach, project leader and instructor on the Six Sigma Methodology. This is a problem solving approach in the area of Quality that transformed and increased bottom line results for companies such as GE and Motorola. Her doctoral research, books and services were birthed from the hybrid mix between her passion (music) and profession (engineering). She enjoys using her corporate experience for ministry growth and community service.
Today she is a resident subject matter expert for area pastors and ministries on music ministry strategies and operational best practices. During her doctoral research, Toni founded and launched an ongoing music ministry renewal initiative called Gospel Music One Sound Project. The aim of this effort is to provide services and activities which unify and renew the purpose of gospel music practitioners to “one sound”, as demonstrated in 2nd Chronicles 5:13. Her consulting and lecturing in this capacity birthed the writing of Moving Forward and Facing The Future (In the Black Church Worship Experience).