Choralfest North
8-9 March 2018
McDougall United Church, Edmonton
McDougall United Church, Edmonton
Evaluators
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ADAM CON
Dr. Adam Jonathan Con is a conductor, a visionary, a respected teacher of choral conducting and Tai Chi Chuan, and a leader in the advocacy of music education. A native of Vancouver and a third generation Chinese Canadian, his holistic approach to choral music through a unique blend of kinesthetic whole body movement and Eastern philosophy continues to inspire singers of all ages in mind, body and spirit. His motto is “Music is more than notes in motion; music is notes in Emotion.” Dr. Con is a tenured Associate Professor of Music at University of Victoria. His duties at School of Music include teaching conducting the UVic Chorus, teaching Elementary Music Methods, Music Education Foundations, Choral Conducting, Choral Organization, Rehearsal Techniques and Literature, Middle and Elementary School choir methods, and supervising music education students. He has taught and served in various positions such as Director of Choral Activities and Chair of Music Education at institutions such as the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, California State University, Long Beach, California; Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. Dr. Con earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education (Secondary Instrumental and Choral) and a Master’s Degree in Music Education (Elementary) from the University of British Columbia. At Florida State University, he earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Music Education (Choral Conducting Emphasis) studying with Rodney Eichenberger, Andre Thomas, Clifford Madsen and Judy Bowers. In addition, Dr. Con is a certified Orff Schulwerk specialist and has extensive study experience as an Alexander Technique practitioner. In high demand both as a guest conductor and choral conducting teacher, Dr. Con has been invited to present and conduct at prestigious events such as the National American Orff-Schulwerk Conference, Podium: the Canadian National Choral Conducting Symposium, the Canadian National GALA Conference, the National Canadian Orff-Schulwerk Conference, the Alberta Provincial Music Educator’s Conference, the Manitoba Music Educator’s Conference, the British Columbia Provincial Music Educator’s Conference, the British Columbia Choral Federation, the Ohio State Music Educator’s Conference, the Georgia State American Choral Directors Association Conference, and the Georgia Music Educator’s Conference. His talent and ability to work with all levels of musical experience is grounded in 15 years of diverse K-12 public school music teaching which includes Orff, Kodály, and Dalcroze based general music, French immersion music, middle and secondary school choral, vocal jazz, concert band and jazz band. His professional conducting experiences include numerous All-State and honor choirs, civic orchestras, professional musical theatre, community choirs, concert bands, and 39 years as a church choir director and organist. He currently serves as the University of Victoria Convocation organist. |
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JENNIFER LANG
Dr. Jennifer Lang is an Assistant Professor of Music Education and the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Saskatchewan, where she currently conducts the Greystone Singers. While completing her graduate studies at the University of Western Ontario, Jennifer was awarded a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowship and was an instructor at the Don Wright Faculty of Music and Faculty of Education and the Teaching Support Centre. Currently Jennifer serves as the president on the board of the Saskatchewan Choral Federation, is a member of the Choral Canada Advocacy and Editorial committees, and she occupies the role of board chair for Musical Futures Canada. Jennifer’s previous work also includes conducting the University of Saskatchewan’s University Chorus, UWO Choir, the Althouse Singers, and she was a member of the conducting team within the Amabile Boys & Men’s Choirs of London organization. Prior to completing her doctorate, Jennifer served as a program leader of vocal and instrumental secondary school music with the District of Niagara Arts Academy in the District School Board of Niagara. Jennifer is also active as a conductor, choral adjudicator, clinician and conference presenter with local, provincial, national, and international invitations. |
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SARAH MORRISON
Dr. Sarah Morrison maintains an active career as a choral conductor, music educator, and performer. She is the Artistic Director of the Oakville Choir for Children and Youth, a vibrant seven-choir organization focused on building leadership and community through singing. This renowned choral organization includes the ‘A Few Good Men’ and ‘Raise Her Voice’ ensembles and recently placed second in the children’s choir category of the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs. Dr. Morrison also serves as Director, Learning and Teaching Innovation at Appleby College in Oakville where she has taught vocal music for over 15 years. Her choirs have been recorded by CBC radio and have won awards at both the national and international level including a Gold Medal at the 8th World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia. Dr. Morrison is known for her energy and creativity in working with young voices. Dr. Morrison is the 2010 winner of the Leslie Bell Award for Choral Conducting awarded by the Ontario Arts Council. She writes the Youth Choir column for Choral Canada’s Anacrusis and served the board of Choirs Ontario as the Vice-President for two years. Dr. Morrison sang soprano with the JUNO-nominated Canadian Chamber Choir for the past decade and can be heard on their debut CD, “In Good Company.” She is active as a conference presenter and guest conductor across Canada and the United States. Dr. Morrison holds music and education degrees from Western University and the University of Toronto and is an associate in vocal performance of the Conservatory Canada. She is an adjunct faculty member at Queen’s University teaching courses in the Graduate Faculty of Education. Her research interests focus on technology-enhanced learning environments, creativity, youth self-expression, collaborative community singing, and innovation in arts education. |