Charting a Path Forward: Guiding Black Conductors Toward Collegiate Leadership
Session Abstract: The choral profession is moving toward centering the experiences of marginalized and historically excluded musicians and making space for conductors of color to thrive, yet these efforts are not readily reflected in higher education. Using theoretical and practical lenses, an international panel of Black conductors will identify current barriers which discriminate against racialized students, share their own affirming personal experiences, and provide specific strategies to cultivate strong Black leaders for the future. Each panelist brings a unique perspective to this discussion that will resonate with aspiring Black academics and inform allies and mentors.
Derrick Fox
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Dr. Derrick Fox is a Distinguished Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He has conducted and presented across the US and internationally. His choral works are published by Hal Leonard and Brilee Music. The Derrick Fox Choral Series with Music Spoke publishes works by historically excluded and marginalized composers. He also partnered with the Country Music Association Foundation to create the 2020 Unified Voices for Music Education Initiative. He was awarded the 2021 Bryan R. Johnson Distinguished Service Award for his DEAIB contributions to the Nebraska Music Educators Association. www.drderrickfox.com
Jabarie Glass
University of South Carolina
Jabarie Glass is an assistant professor of music and the associate director of choral studies in the School of Music at the University of South Carolina. His varied conducting experiences have included working with university, secondary, community youth, festival, and church ensembles. Ensembles under his direction have given performances at state and regional conferences of ACDA. Glass's scholarship focuses on conducting pedagogy, choral pedagogy, and music literacy. A native Mississippian, Glass earned degrees from the University of Mississippi, the Florida State University College of Music, and the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance.
Melissa Morgan
University of Regina
Dr. Melissa Morgan is the Assistant Professor of Choral Music in the department of Media, Arts, and Performance at the University of Regina. As a researcher and scholar, Dr. Morgan has contributed articles to Teaching Music through Performance in Choir, Vol. 5. She has done significant work to promote choral art music by Canadian Prairie composers. Her choirs have performed at Choral Canada’s Podium Conferences, and several provincial and national music festivals. An active musician, she is frequently asked to serve as a guest clinician, adjudicator, and conductor throughout Canada. For more information on Dr. Morgan please visit: www.classicmel.ca
Jeffrey Allen Murdock
University of Arkansas
Dr. Jeffrey Allen Murdock currently serves as Director of Choral Activities at the University of Arkansas. He is the 2016 Connor Endowed Faculty Fellow in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Science, and the 2021 GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year. He has conducted regional and state honor choirs, and headlined conferences in 26 states and 5 countries. He holds Bachelor’s and Master's degrees in music from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Music Education from the University of Memphis. He serves ACDA as President of Southwest Region. www.jallenmurdock.com
A. Jan Taylor
Prairie View A&M University
A. Jan Taylor is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Prairie View A&M University in Texas. She has served as adjudicator and choral clinician for choral competitions, festivals, and regional honor choirs throughout the United States and abroad. She frequently lectures on the performance practices and preservation of the African American spiritual. She holds the Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Houston, Master of Arts degree in voice from Prairie View A&M University, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from the University of Houston.
Frank Watkins
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Frank A. Watkins is assistant professor of music and Director of Choral Studies at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. He holds degrees in piano performance from Jackson State University (BM), the University of Arkansas (MM), and choral conducting from Northwestern University (MM) and Michigan State University (DMA). Choirs under his direction have performed at the Wisconsin Music Educators State Conference and the North Central Divisional Conference of the American Choral Directors Association. Watkins' research interests include the intersectionality of race, class, and gender in the music of African-American Women in the 21st century.
