Southern Wesleyan professor to conduct Anderson chorale
The Greater Anderson Musical Arts Consortium has chosen Dr. Don Campbell to serve as conductor for the GAMAC Chorale.
This decision comes after a 10-month search in which three candidates were chosen as finalists to conduct the ensemble during the 2009-2010 concert season by an ad hoc search committee of the GAMAC Board of Directors. Comprised of members of the GAMAC Board, Chorale, Orchestra and community at large, the committee’s decision to hire Campbell was unanimous.
Dr. Campbell serves as professor of music and director of choral activities at Southern Wesleyan University in Central, S.C., as well as director of music at Trinity United Methodist Church in Anderson, S.C. He received a bachelor of arts degree in music education from California State University, Fullerton; a master of arts degree in choral conducting from California State University, Fresno; and his doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting from Arizona State University.
In demand as a choral clinician, Dr. Campbell has traveled to 14 states and Canada to conduct choirs and festival choruses and present choral clinics. His choirs have performed at state conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and Music Educators National Conference. In addition to the many eclectic programs he has directed in more than 30 years of work, he has conducted much of the great choral repertoire. He is the recipient of the first Ken Dickens Award for Excellence in Teaching for 2003 and Southern Wesleyan University’s Faculty Member of the Year for 2003-2004.
“We are very fortunate to have found Don,” said GAMAC Executive Director Dana Gencarelli. “His rapport with the Chorale was evident from his first moments at the podium during rehearsal. In addition to being a superb musician, he’s a dynamic leader whose enthusiasm for the music is inspiring.”
GAMAC Artistic Director Alex Spainhour and Search Committee Chairman Bill Shea agreed, saying that Dr. Campbell’s addition to the GAMAC team will be a tremendous asset to the organization that will help the ensemble grow artistically and in participation.
Renamed the GAMAC Chorale in 1990, the ensemble was founded in 1970. The membership includes more than 80 talented avocational singers and community professional artists and is managed by the GAMAC organization. The Chorale performs three concerts annually with a professional orchestra and has performed much of the great choral/symphonic literature. Membership is by audition and is open to all talented singers regardless of race, color, religion or creed. For details on auditions or performances, please contact the GAMAC office at (864) 231-6147.
The Greater Anderson Musical Arts Consortium is funded in part by the Anderson County and City Accommodations Tax Fund and by the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.