Spirited Conversations with Special Guest Dr. André J. Thomas

From the venue:

Join us Monday, May 10 at 12 pm EDT for the next live broadcast of Spirited Conversations: Behind the Scores. Atlanta Master Chorale Artistic Director Eric Nelson will interview distinguished American composer and conductor Andrè J. Thomas, discussing his impressive career and his take on the state of choral music in 2021.

Dr. André J. Thomas is a celebrated American conductor, educator, composer and author who has conducted choirs all over the world. He has taught and inspired thousands of students, many of whom went on the lead choral programs of their own. Thomas joined the faculties of the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and Yale School of Music for the 2020-2021 academic year as Professor of Choral Conducting and Interim Conductor of Yale Camerata after a distinguished career most recently at Florida State University, where he is the retired Owen F. Sellers Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities, and Professor of Choral Music Education. He also recently retired as artistic director of the Tallahassee Community Chorus.

Thomas has been widely recognized by many organizations for his dedication to and accomplishments in the choral arts. In 2011, the African Diaspora Sacred Music and Musicians Program honored Dr. Thomas as a Living Legend, and in the same year, Chorus America presented him 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 Educator’s Hall of Fame.  He is a past president of the Florida ACDA and the past president of the Southern Division of ACDA, and the current Vice President of National ACDA and the artistic Chairman of the 2021 National Convention. 

This will be a live virtual interview, and guests will have an opportunity for Q&A following the session. The event is free to attend, but we are accepting donations to cover the costs of our Virtual Concert Hall programming. Your gift helps ensure that we can continue sharing music that touches the spirit.