In Music for All’s ongoing mission, the Choral Music Artistic Committee has been established to support the artistic components of the Music for All National Choir Festival. Members of the Committee serve by invitation of Music for All and Choral Artistic Director, Henry Leck, and are engaged to further the mission of Music for All by striving to create, provide, and expand positively life changing experiences through music for all. Music for All is proud to welcome the newest members of the Choral Music Artistic Committee; Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt and Dr. Jeffery Redding!
Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt is Professor Emerita of Choral Studies at the University of Toronto where she held the Elmer Iseler Chair in Conducting. From 2013 – 2018, she was artistic director of Exultate Chamber Singers, a semi-professional ensemble in Toronto.
A native Canadian, she has led her university choirs in performances at conferences of the American Choral Directors Association, and at Podium, the national professional conference of Choral Canada. She has guest conducted numerous honors choruses and festivals through the U.S. and Canada, including more than 35 all-state high school choirs. She directed the 2014 National Youth Choir of Canada, and has conducted choral festivals internationally. Her teaching experiences range from public school to community ensembles to church choirs.
Dr. Apfelstadt will serve on the Artistic Panel for the 2019 National Choir Festival in Indianapolis.
Dr. Jeffery Redding is in constant demand for his inspiring guest conducting. He is highly recognized in the field of choral music and was most recently awarded the 2019 Grammy Award for Music Education. Former Director of Choral Activities at West Virginia University, he is currently Director of Choral Activities at West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Florida, where he has led his award-winning choirs in performances at conferences and festivals in the United States and abroad.
Dr. Redding is founder and Artistic Director of the Garden Community Choir in Winter Garden, Florida. Formerly with the Moses Hogan Singers, he remains active as a singer in the professional male singing group, “Brethren.” He holds a Ph.D. in Choral Conducting/Music Education and a Master of Music Education from the Florida State University, and a bachelor of science in Music Education from Florida A&M University.
