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Internationally acclaimed composer, conductor, choral director, and author Dr. André Thomas will be in residence November 16-21 at the University of Missouri School of Music, where he will provide composition lessons, lead choral conducting masterclasses, and rehearse Mizzou’s choirs and orchestra in preparation for a major concert on November 20 by the Choral Union Symphonic Chorus, University Singers, Concert Chorale, and the University Symphony Orchestra. The concert is sponsored in part by the Mizzou New Music Initiative.
A leading specialist in African American choral and gospel music, Dr. Thomas received a three-year appointment as London Symphony Orchestra Associate Artist in 2022. With the LSO, his concerts brought together symphonic and U.S. gospel traditions, leading to collaborations between the Orchestra and hundreds of singers from the London community and numerous gospel stars. He also conducted symphonic music by Carlos Simon, Wynton Marsalis, and Joel Thompson.
“I’m very pleased to welcome Dr. André Thomas back to Columbia,” said Stefan Freund, Artistic Director of the Mizzou New Music Initiative. “He will have a huge impact on the Mizzou School of Music community as he works with our orchestra, choirs, and composers. The Choral Union concert will present a wide variety of his works with diverse instrumentations. I encourage the Columbia community to come out to experience this very special evening.”
For 35 years, Dr. Thomas taught at Florida State University, serving as Director of Choral Activities, Professor of Choral Education, and as the Owen F. Sellers Professor of Music. He has conducted orchestras and choral ensembles in Czechoslovakia, China, Philippines, Germany, Netherlands, and many other countries.
Dr. Thomas’s choral compositions include Keep Your Lamps!, Glory to God, Beautiful City, I’m Gonna Sing, and many others. His written works include Way Over in Beulah Lan’: Understanding and Performing the Negro Spiritual and numerous journal articles.
The concert will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 20 in Mizzou’s Jesse Hall. In addition to Dr. Thomas as guest conductor, the concert will feature conductors Dr. Brandon Boyd, Director of Choral Activities, and Dr. Adam Potter, Visiting Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education, and include performances by baritone Jermaine Manor, soprano NaGuanda Nobles, and pianist Prof. Bomi Kim.
They will perform Dr. Thomas’ compositions African Noel, Deep River, Rockin’ Jerusalem, Fences, I Dream a World, and In a Time of Silver Rain, among others.
Tickets for the concert are $29.34 and can be purchased at here.
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