West Liberty University welcomed Dr. Scott Glysson as its new director of choral activities, recently.
“West Liberty University has a great tradition of excellence in music education and performance and I’m thrilled to be joining this tradition as a member of the music faculty. I look forward to making great music with our students and faculty,” he said. Glysson replaced Al de Jaager who retired at the end of May 2014.
Previously, Glysson served as assistant director of the internationally recognized Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus. He holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts in Choral Conducting degree from The University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz. He also holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting degree from the University of Arizona and a bachelor’s in music education from George Mason University, Fairfax, Va.
While living in Northern Virginia, he served as director of music at Floris United Methodist Church and held teaching positions in several high schools in the Washington, D.C. area. He also served as the artistic director and the founder of the Floris Concert Series, where he organized and conducted major-work charity concerts with chorus and orchestra. Additionally, he was the assistant conductor of the Reston Chorale, one of the Washington, D.C.’s most celebrated choruses.
Glysson has been recognized for his conducting achievements in both choral and orchestral genres. As the conductor of university, high school and community ensembles, he has performed both nationally and internationally.
Under his leadership as the artistic director of the Tucson Masterworks Chorale, the group’s excellence was recognized by an invitation to perform in Lincoln Center’s Avery Fischer Hall in March of 2014.
As an undergraduate student, he received the George Mason University College of Fine Arts award for Outstanding Music Student for his achievements in the area of choral and orchestral conducting. He was assistant conductor of the George Mason University Chamber Chorus for two years, conducting choral groups in such locations as Russia, Australia and Germany.
As a graduate student, Glysson was honored as one of eight semi-finalists from across the country to compete in the National Choral Conducting Competition sponsored by the American Choral Directors Association. He also was honored as a finalist in the Western Division American Choral Directors Association Conducting Masterclass Competition.
An active scholar and educator, Glysson has presented and published in the fields of music education and musicology. In 2011, he was honored with the privilege to present his research on the motets of the medieval composer Guillaume de Machaut at the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Musicological Society.
A board member of the Arizona State Chapter of The American Choral Directors Association, he has published several articles and reviews. His dissertation and current research centers on the choral motets of Camille Saint-Saëns and the 19th century Cecilian Movement.
A native of Northern Virginia, he now resides in Wheeling, with his wife Christie.
The Division of Music at West Liberty University offers undergraduate degrees in music education, music performance and music technology. Among its many ensembles are University Chorus, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and the Hilltopper Marching Band. For complete information, please visit westliberty.edu or call 1.866.WestLib.