A summer choral concert will be held on Saturday, July 19, at 7:30 p.m. in Sydnor Performance Hall to highlight the work of students in the University of Lynchburg Master of Arts in Music program. The concert is free and open to the public.
Five student conductors will direct the Practicum Choir (Summer Choral Union) with David Hill accompanying the concert.
Jeremy Craft, choir director at Jefferson Forest High School and Forest Middle School, will conduct “O Schöne Nacht, op 92 no 1” by Johannes Brahms and “Prelude to Peace” by Randall Z Stroope. Jeremy received a Masters in Reading Education from University of Lynchburg in 2012 and his BS in Music Education from Concord University (Athens, WV) in 2007.
Dennis Gilbar of Lynchburg will direct “Crown Him King of Kings” by J.S. Bach and “Think on Me,” text and music by Mary Queen of Scots (1542-1587), arranged by James Mulholland. Dennis earned his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Kentucky and has spent the last 18 years in public education as a choral director. He has served as interim choral director for Sweet Briar College, and has been a guest conductor for Charlottesville’s All Honor Choir and District XIII’s All District Middle School choir.
Jason Whitson, choir director at Volunteer High School in Church Hill, Tenn., will conduct “Kyrie eleison” from the Little Organ Mass by Haydn and “The Pasture” by Randall Z Stroope. Jason studied vocal and instrumental music education at East Tennessee State University (BS Music) and education at Tusculum College (MA Ed.)
Jennifer Jarrett, music teacher in Newport News Public Schools and director of Menchville High School choir, will direct the first and second movements from The Christmas Cantata by Daniel Pinkham. She is a graduate of Longwood University with a B.A. degree in music education.
Demas Boudreaux, director of worship music and organist at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Richmond will direct “Agnus dei” from the Little Organ Mass by Haydn and “The Last Words of David” by Randall Thompson. Demas also directs the American Legion Boys State of Virginia Chorus. He received his BA in political science, history, and French from Hampden-Sydney College and his MA in political science from Virginia Tech.
Dr. Jong Kim, professor of music, is program director for the MA in music program, which is an intensive six-week summer graduate program in choral or instrumental conducting that provides advanced and in-depth training for current conducting professionals, as well as for those preparing for doctoral programs in conducting. The program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).