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The American bas-baritone, choral conductor, music pedagogue and composer, Jason Thoms, obtained his Bachelor of Music Education degree in Choral Conducting from St. Olaf College (1992-1997); his Bachelor degree in Vocal Music Education (K-12) from St. Olaf College (1992-1997); his Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University (2001-2002); and his DMA degree in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University (2003-2005). He also studied Voice/Opera at University of Arkansas (2006-2007).
Jason Thoms served as Director of Choral Ensembles at Mississippi University for Women (August 2004-June 2005); Director of Music at Central United Methodist Church (August 2005-July 2007); Interim Director of Music and Liturgy at Reformed Church of Bronxville (Sepember 2019-April 2020); Adjunct Associate Professor of Music at Long Island University (September 2019-May 2020); Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities and Music Program Director (July 2007-Jun 2015), Dean of Arts and Sciences, Associate Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities (July 2015-December 2018), Professor of Music and Humanities, Director of Choral Activities, Chair of Music and Art (January 2019-August 2020) at Concordia College-New York; Music Director and Conductor at Danbury Music Centre (September 2018-May 2022). Since August 2020, he is the Director of Choral Activities at Bismarck State College, North Dakota, and Adjunct Professor of Music at Dickinson State University. He is also and the Founder and Artistic Director of Dakota Pro Musica (since October 2020). He served as Music Directors at many churches across the country. While the Director of Choral Activities at Concordia College New York, he embarked on 15 tours, both domestic and international. He conducted the Concordia Choirs in nearly 400 performances across 49 States, 2 Canadian Provinces, Italy and Germany. In 2017 made his main-stage conducting debut at Carnegie Hall in NYC.
Jason Thoms has been professional bass-baritone singer since August 1999). He is in high demand as a professional chorister and soloist, and is most frequently found performing music of the Orthodox Christian choral tradition as an octavist. He sang the role of the Deacon in the premiere performance and 2022 Grammy-nominated recording of Benedict Sheehan's Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom with the St. Tikhon Choir. He has been a member of a number of professional choirs across the country including the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, South Dakota Chorale, Saint Tikhon Choir (5 years, has sung on every recording with the choir), Kinnara, Spire Ensemble, and Clarion Choir. Jason is particularly excited to be joining Conspirare for the first time, especially since Maestro Johnson was his choir director at Lutheran Summer Music Camp in the summers of 1990-1992.
Jason Thoms is a published composer and frequently writes music inspired by the music of Orthodox Church, and the ancient texts of the Faith. He currently lives in Bismarck, North Dakota. |
