The UNH Choirs Master Teacher Series is designed exclusively for choral music educators of all levels. Its goal is to provide a continuing education opportunity for all music educators by connecting them with renowned choral musicians. This workshop will include sessions on rehearsal strategies and conducting gesture; understanding the historical, educational and pedagogical facets to conducting the African-American Spiritual; accessible choral repertoire for all age levels from a wide array of composers; and a conducting masterclass. Participants will receive a reading packet of octavos appropriate for all levels, and lunch is also included.
Upon completion of the program, participants will be able to:
This program will be facilitated by renowned choral educator, Dr. André J. Thomas. Please visit the 'Instructor Bios' tab for additional information.
For further questions or information, please contact Amy Kotsonis. Director of UNH Choral Activities, at amy.kotsonis@unh.edu.
ANDRÉ J. THOMAS is a Visiting Professor of Conducting and Interim Conductor of the Yale Camerata. Thomas is an Emeritus Professor of Music at Florida State University. He previously served as a faculty member at the University of Texas, Austin.
Dr. Thomas received his degrees from Friends University (B.A.), Northwestern University (M. M.), and the University of Illinois (D.M.A). He is in demand as a choral adjudicator, clinician, and director of Honor/All-State Choirs throughout North America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, and Africa.
Dr. Thomas has conducted choirs at the state, division, and national conventions of the Music Educators National Conference (NAfME) and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). His international conducting credits are extensive. They include conductor/clinician for the International Federation of Choral Musicians' summer residency of the World Youth Choir in the The Republic of China and the Philippines. He was also the conductor of the World Youth Choir's winter residency in Europe and a premier performance by an American choir (Florida State University Singers) in Vietnam.
He has been the guest conductor of such distinguished orchestras and choirs as the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in England, guest Conductor for the Berlin Radio Choir and the North German Radio Choir in Germany, the Netherlands Radio Choir, The Bulgarian Radio Choir and Orchestra, the Charlotte Symphony, Tallahassee Symphony, China's People's Liberation Orchestra and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. From 1988-2019, he also served as Artistic Director of the Tallahassee Community Chorus.
Various musical organizations have recognized Thomas. In 2011, the African Diaspora Sacred Music honored Dr. Thomas as a Living Legend. Also in 2011, Thomas' dedication to and accomplishments in the choral arts was recognized by his peers in Chorus America when the organization presented Dr. Thomas with its Distinguished Service Award. In March of 2017, ACDA presented Thomas with its highest honor the Robert Shaw Award, and in November of 2017, NCCO (National Collegiate Choral Organization presented Thomas with its Lifetime Achievement Award. In January 2019, he was inducted into the Florida Music Educators’ Hall of Fame. In 2022 he was presented with the Award of Excellence from the Southern Region of ACDA.
Thank you for your interest in this course. A new date will be scheduled soon. If you would like more information, please submit your inquiry below and a staff member will reply shortly.
