ASU choral program welcomes renowned choral conductors as resident artists
ASU choral program guest resident artists (from left) André J. Thomas, Sharon Hansen and Edith Copley. Courtesy photos
This semester, Arizona State University choral students and community members have been enjoying master classes, seminars, workshops and performances with three legendary choral conductors: André J. Thomas, Sharon Hansen and Edith Copley.
“Bringing in three world-class choral pedagogues provides an opportunity for our students to learn from three veteran conductor-teachers who have helped to shape our profession,” said Joshua Palkki, assistant professor and interim director of choral activities.
The guest artists’ residencies range from one week to more than six weeks. Each conductor is sharing their expertise with the ASU choirs and choral conducting graduate students.
Palkki said that e
Duruflé's “Requiem”
ASU Concert Choir
Guest conductor: André J. Thomas
7:30 p.m. March 21
Dayspring United Methodist Church, Tempe
General admission $12; free admission for all students with ID
Tickets
Thomas, renowned conductor, composer and a leading specialist in African American, choral and gospel music, is in residency from March 14–21. Thomas is an emeritus professor of music at Florida State University. During his residency, he is working with students in the Concert Choir, Gospel Choir and Canticum Bassum, and he is teaching a choral conducting seminar to graduate conducting students as well as guest teaching in the Art of Teaching Choral Music course for undergraduate music learning and teaching students.
Thomas is the guest conductor for Maurice Duruflé’s famous “Requiem,” being performed March 21 at Dayspring United Methodist Church.
Hansen, esteemed conductor, scholar and world-wide master teacher,
“Singing the Year”
ASU Choirs
Guest conductor: Edith Copley
7:30 p.m. April 17
ASU Gammage
General admission $12; free admission for all ASU students
Tickets
Choral legend Copley is in residency from March 25 to April 18. Copley, a Regents’ Professor Emeritus of music and former director of choral studies at Northern Arizona University
Copley is the guest conductor of the ASU Concert Choir for the April 17 “Singing the Year” concert at ASU Gammage. The concert features all choirs and is the choral season’s culminating event. She is also teaching the graduate conducting students in private and group lessons, working with the Graduate Recital Choir and facilitating the choral literature class.
The ASU choral program engages regularly with composers, conductors, educators and performers that celebrate the vast diversity of our world. Students engaging in the choral conducting programs expand their expertise in global and intercultural approaches in communal singing.
“We hope that our students will feel inspired and uplifted by these musical experiences,” Palkki said. “Guest residencies allow them to gain new perspectives on singing, conducting, teaching/learning and community-building.”
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