Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Birth

:

1954

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Joseph Jennings was born on October 22, 1954, in Albany, Georgia. He grew up in a musical family and began singing in church at a young age. Jennings attended Florida State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in choral music education. He later received a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from the University of Illinois. Jennings began his professional career as a choral conductor and singer in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1984, he joined the renowned vocal ensemble Chanticleer as a countertenor. Chanticleer is a Grammy Award-winning male vocal ensemble known for its innovative programming and impeccable musicianship. Jennings quickly became an integral part of the group, serving as its music director from 1984 to 2008. Under Jennings' leadership, Chanticleer became one of the most acclaimed vocal ensembles in the world. The group's repertoire expanded to include music from a wide range of genres and time periods, from medieval chant to contemporary works. Jennings was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to bring out the best in each individual singer. He also collaborated with many composers and arrangers to create new works for the ensemble. Jennings' tenure with Chanticleer was marked by numerous highlights and achievements. The group won three Grammy Awards during his tenure, for Best Small Ensemble Performance in 2000, 2002, and 2003. They also performed at prestigious venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Vatican. Jennings was particularly proud of the group's work with young people, including their annual Youth Choral Festival and their outreach programs in schools and communities. In addition to his work with Chanticleer, Jennings was also a sought-after guest conductor and clinician. He conducted many other vocal ensembles, including the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus. He also taught choral conducting at the University of California, Berkeley, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Jennings retired from Chanticleer in 2008 but continued to be active in the music world. He founded the ensemble Clerestory, which focuses on music from the Renaissance and contemporary periods. He also continued to conduct and teach, and was a beloved mentor to many young musicians. Tragically, Jennings passed away on August 27, 2020, at the age of 65. His death was a great loss to the music world, and he was mourned by many colleagues, friends, and fans. However, his legacy lives on through his recordings, his compositions and arrangements, and the many musicians he inspired and mentored over the years. Joseph Jennings will always be remembered as a gifted musician, a passionate educator, and a true pioneer in the world of choral music.

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