Music for All is honored to have Dr. André J. Thomas as Guest Conductor and Stacey V. Gibbs as Composer-in-Residence for the 2019 National Choir Festival!
André J. Thomas, conductor, composer, professor and author, is the Owen F. Sellers Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Choral Music Education at Florida State University. He currently serves as president-elect for the American Choral Directors Association. Artist Director, Henry Leck, stated “It is with excitement and pleasure that I look forward to welcoming and co-conducting with the incredible Dr. Andre Thomas at the Music for All National Choir Festival 2019 in Indianapolis. Dr. Thomas has been a friend for over 30 years … an icon … and a mentor to all of us in the choral profession. We are so honored to include him in this festival.”
Stacey V. Gibbs is a prolific and highly sought-after composer-arranger. Best known for arrangements of spirituals, he is highly acclaimed for his ability to infuse new energy into familiar works without sacrificing their authenticity or power. Lori Lobsiger, Choral Program Coordinator said, “Watching Gibbs interact with singers in 2018, the energy and encouragement he showered upon the young singers underscored his commitment to the support and development of young people through music.” In preparing for the 2019 National Choir Festival, Gibbs announced, “I am elated to serve as composer-in-residence for the 2019 National Choir Festival, March 14-16, 2019. We will present a commissioned composition titled ‘Music Helps Me Make It Through the Day’ for chorus, solo and orchestra. Please mark your calendars and join us!”
