Dr. Felicia Barber is the Associate Professor, Adjunct, of Choral Conducting at Yale University and conductor of the Camerata. In addition to teaching graduate-level choral conductors and aspiring undergraduate conductors, Dr. Barber is developing a new initiative designed to prepare Yale students to work with young musicians on choral music in school and church settings.
Previous to her appointment at Yale, Dr. Barber served as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Westfield State University in Westfield, MA, where she conducted the University Chorus, Chamber Chorale, and Gospel Choir; as well as taught courses in conducting and choral methods for nine years. In addition to her position at Westfield, Dr. Barber also served as Choral Lecturer for the summer master’s program at Gordon College for five years. There she taught courses in Choral Conducting and Choral Music Education for the MME degree.
Dr. Barber, whose research interests include effective teaching strategies, fostering classroom diversity and incorporating equity and justice initiatives in choral curricula, and the linguistic performance practice of African American spirituals, has contributed to such periodicals as the American Choral Directors Association’s Choral Journal and is the author of A New Perspective for the Use of Dialect in African American Spirituals: History, Context, and Linguistics (Rowman & Littlefield, 2021).
An active member of American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), she has presented her research at state, divisional, and national conferences. Dr. Barber has also served the organization on the National Diversity Committee, the Eastern Division 2020 Conference committee, and is the current President of the Massachusetts ACDA board. In addition, she is regularly engaged as a guest conductor for youth and community festivals around the country; including several All-State ensembles including Vermont, Oklahoma, California, Louisiana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Rhode Island; she will conduct at the ACDA Eastern Division Conference in 2024 and a Carnegie Hall Festival in 2025.
Dr. Barber earned a BM in Vocal Performance from Oral Roberts University, in Tulsa, OK, a MM in Choral Music Education from Mansfield University, in Mansfield, PA, and a Ph.D. in Music Education and Choral Conducting from The Florida State University.
EVENT DETAILS
Itinerary
Saturday, March 15
Morning or Afternoon arrival to New York City, check-in to hotel
Afternoon free for sightseeing
Evening Rehearsal
Sunday, March 16
Morning Rehearsal
Afternoon Broadway Show
Evening free for sightseeing
Monday, March 17
Morning brush-up Rehearsal
Afternoon free for sightseeing
Sound check at Carnegie Hall
Evening concert
Post-concert buffet reception
Tuesday, March 18
Depart New York City
Repertoire Selections
Arise My Beloved
Adolphus Hailstork
SATB
Theodore Presser Co
A Prayer
Ken Burton
SATB
C.F. Peters Corporation
Praise the Lord
Florence B. Price
SATB, piano (string quartet)
ClarNan Editions
Ezekiel Saw de Wheel
arr. William L. Dawson
SATB
Neil A. Kjos Music Co
Dedication
Zanaida Robles
SATB
Hinshaw Music, Inc
Sign Me Up
arr. Brandon A. Boyd
SATB, piano, electric bass, drums
Gentry JG2618
OCTAVO Series PAckages
For Directors who want it all
Festival Chorus performance with a nationally-recognized guest conductor
Sound check and performance at New York City’s legendary Carnegie Hall, Isaac Stern Auditorium
Post-concert buffet reception
mp3 part learning tracks to assist with preparation
Audio and video archival recording of the performance
Commemorative framed mini marquee poster for the ensemble
Certificates of participation for each performer
Three-night stay at a Midtown Manhattan hotel (Westin Times Square, Sheraton New York, or similar)
MTA Transit pass for use on subways and buses (two one-way rides included with upgrades available)
Group Tickets to a Broadway show
Top of the Rock observation deck
MCP operations associate for personal attention regarding your package
Flight assistance available through in-house airline coordinator
One year of membership for the ensemble director to the online learning platform, Forward Motion
For Directors using a tour operator or who want
to book their own lodging and activities
Festival Chorus performance with a nationally-recognized guest conductor
Sound check and performance at New York City’s legendary Carnegie Hall, Isaac Stern Auditorium
mp3 part learning tracks to assist with preparation
Audio and video archival recording of the performance
Commemorative framed mini marquee poster for the ensemble
Certificates of participation for each performer
One year of membership for the ensemble director to the online learning platform, Forward Motion