Sleeping Choral Giant: Rediscovering the Music of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
Session Abstract: Many choral musicians are familiar with English choral music at the turn of the 20th century from the likes of Vaughan Williams, Elgar, and Stanford. But few are aware of the contributions of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, a Black English composer whose choral and orchestral works were performed around the world to near universal acclaim. It is time for him to take his rightful place among our collection of great English choral composers. Come and hear selections from his works as we discuss his life, his music, and how to program it for our choirs.
Will Chandler
The University of Kentucky
Will Chandler is a DMA student at The University of Kentucky under Dr. Jefferson Johnson, Dr. Lori Hetzel, and Prof. Beth Wilson. Will is the coach for Kentucky's tenor-bass a cappella group The AcoUstiKats and is the assistant conductor for the University Chorale and Men's Chorus. During Dr. Johnson's sabbatical in Spring of 2021, he was the co-director for the Men's Chorus. Prior to Kentucky, will taught choir in Texas for seven years, building two schools into first division programs. Will also holds a bachelor's from Millsaps College and a Master of Music from The University of Southern Mississippi.
Zanaida Robles
Harvard-Westlake School
Dr. Zanaida Stewart Robles is a fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion in music. Born, raised, and educated in Southern California, she is in demand as a vocalist, conductor, clinician and adjudicator for competitions, festivals, and conferences related to vocal music. She serves on the board of the National Association of Negro Musicians and is board chair of Tonality, an organization that promotes peace, unity, and social justice through choral music in Los Angeles. Her compositions have been performed by the L.A. Master Chorale and Tonality and recent commissions include the California Choral Directors Association All-State Honor Choir.
Jefferson Johnson
The University of Kentucky
Jefferson Johnson is Director of Choral Activities at the University of Kentucky where he is now the Endowed Professor of Choral Music. Johnson conducts the University Chorale and Men's Chorus and directs the graduate program. In 2017 he was the third-ever recipient of the “Distinguished Choral Alumnus Award” at the University of Colorado. In 2019 Johnson conducted the TTBB Honor Choir at National ACDA in Kansas City. In 2018 he conducted the SATB Honor Choir at the first-ever joint conference of Central and North Central Division ACDA in Chicago. Johnson has conducted honor choruses in 33 states and 7 countries.
