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Michael Engelhardt was born and raised in Woodstock, Illinois. He holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from Millikin University and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He currently teaches at Millikin University where he directs the University Women’s Choir and teaches vocal curriculum in the area of Commercial Music. Additionally, Michael is the Interim Director of Worship Arts at First Christian Church in Decatur, Illinois. Enjoying recent success as a composer, Michael has had works performed at the 2008 WVMEA Convention, the 2008 MENC National Convention, and the 2010 IMEA Convention. In 2011, his arrangement of Gaudete! will be published by Walton Music. |
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Ted Hesse is a Lecturer of Music at Millikin University. He is director of the Millikin Men and has conducted several of Millikin’s opera theatre productions. He also teaches voice, music theory and conducting. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Millikin University and his Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Northern Iowa. He also attended the University of Minnesota where he studied music education. |
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Dr. Guy Forbes, Associate Conductor of Choirs and Chair of Music Education joined the Millikin Faculty in 1995. In addition to conducting the Millikin Chamber Chorale, one of Millikin’s top two touring choirs, Dr. Forbes also conducts the Millikin Madrigal Singers. As Chair of Music Education Dr. Forbes has overseen the growth and development of one of the largest and most successful undergraduate music education programs in the Midwest. His responsibilities include teaching conducting and choral methods as well as other upper level choral music education courses. Dr. Forbes is also an award-winning composer with compositions published through Alliance Music, Hinshaw Music, Treble Clef Press, and Pavane Publishing. His compositions have received critical acclaim and have been performed on numerous ACDA and MENC programs including performances by both the 2008 Wisconsin All-State Choir and the 2009 New Mexico All-State Choir. His compositions may be accessed through his web site at: www.guyforbes.com
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Beth Holmes currently conducts the Millikin Women, a choir comprised of 60 freshmen singers, and serves on the Millikin voice faculty. Under her direction the choir hosts an annual Women's Choral Festival on campus, takes an Illinois tour, and performs for the popular Millikin Christmas Vespers and other annual concerts. Beth is an active guest conductor, directing District and All-State festival choirs and Convention Honor Choirs throughout the Midwest. Recent appearances include Women’s Honor Choirs on the 2010 Regional ACDA convention in Minneapolis, as well as state ACDA conventions in Illinois, Florida, and Minnesota. A graduate of Kansas State University, Beth subsequently completed a Masters in Choral Conducting at Arizona State University. She served as the Artistic and Musical Director of the Millikin University Children & Youth Choir Program for 7 years, conducting its premiere ensemble and coordinating a staff of conductors, managers, and Millikin student interns. She has served as ACDA Repertoire and Standards Chair for Women’s Choir in both Iowa and Illinois, and maintains a private voice studio in her home. |
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Dr. Brad Holmes has been Director of Choir Programs at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois since 1991. During this time Dr. Holmes has overseen the growth of the choral program to five traditional choirs and a variety of smaller vocal ensembles involving more than 300 students and six choral/vocal ensemble staff. In addition to conducting the University Choir Dr. Holmes teaches classes in conducting and choral methods. He is artistic director for Millikin's annual Christmas Vespers, an event that attracts 6,500 people each year, as well as a frequent guest conductor of the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra. Under his direction the Millikin University Choir has performed before both regional and national conferences of the American Choral Directors Association. They have again been selected to perform for the National Conference of ACDA in March, 2011. Dr. Holmes's extensive guest conducting schedule has included All-State, ACDA Honor Choirs and District festivals as well as church music clinics throughout the United States. Internationally, he has served as Visiting Fellow at Wolfson College in Cambridge, England. He has conducted choirs in 35 countries in Europe, South America, East Asia, the South Pacific and Australia. |
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