Role

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Conductor

 

Jerry Blackstone is a renowned conductor, educator, and choral musician who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born in 1952 in New York City, Blackstone grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. His parents were both amateur musicians, and they encouraged their son to pursue his passion for music from an early age. Blackstone began his formal music education at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1974. He then went on to earn a Master of Music degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1976 and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan in 1983. Throughout his career, Blackstone has held numerous positions as a conductor and educator. He has served as the director of choral activities at the University of Michigan since 2001, where he conducts the Chamber Choir, teaches graduate conducting courses, and oversees the choral program. Prior to his appointment at the University of Michigan, Blackstone held positions at several other prestigious institutions, including the University of Southern California, the University of Oregon, and the University of Houston. Blackstone is also a highly sought-after guest conductor and clinician, and he has worked with numerous professional and amateur choirs throughout the United States and abroad. He has conducted performances at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Berlin Philharmonic Hall. One of Blackstone's most notable achievements as a conductor came in 2006, when he led the University of Michigan Chamber Choir in a performance of Mozart's Requiem at the Vatican in Rome. The performance was part of a special Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, and it was broadcast live on television and radio throughout the world. The performance was widely praised for its beauty and emotional power, and it helped to cement Blackstone's reputation as one of the world's leading choral conductors. In addition to his work as a conductor, Blackstone is also a respected scholar and author. He has written numerous articles and book chapters on choral music and conducting, and he is the co-author of the textbook "Choral Conducting: Philosophy and Practice." He is also a frequent presenter at conferences and workshops for choral conductors and educators. Throughout his career, Blackstone has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 2006, he was awarded the Michael Korn Founders Award for Development of the Professional Choral Art by Chorus America, the national service organization for choral music in the United States. In 2011, he was awarded the American Choral Directors Association's prestigious Julius Herford Prize for outstanding research in choral music. Despite his many accomplishments, Blackstone remains committed to his work as an educator and mentor to young musicians. He is known for his warm and supportive teaching style, and he has inspired countless students to pursue careers in music. His dedication to the art of choral music has helped to elevate the genre to new heights, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of musicians for years to come.

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