James Jordan (conductor)
Encyclopedia
Dr. James Jordan is a writer
, conductor
, and professor
at Westminster Choir College
of Rider University
in Princeton, New Jersey
where he is currently the Senior Conductor and directs the select touring ensemble Williamson Voices
and the Sophomore choir, Schola Cantorum. Jordan received a Bachelor of Music
(B.M.
) degree from Susquehanna University
, and both a Master of Music
(M.M.
) degree in Choral Conducting and a Doctor of Philosophy
(Ph.D.
) in the Psychology
of Music
from Temple University
and was a student of Elaine Brown
, Wilhelm Ehmann and Frauke Haasemann. During the 2004-2005 academic year, he was a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Music Education at West Chester University. He has also been a visiting professor, lecturer, and clinician at a number of conservatories and universities including the Curtis Institute. Jordan is the editor of the Evoking Sound Choral Series.
Jordan is recognized in the musical community as one of the United States' preeminent conductors, writers and innovators in the field of choral music. His contributions include work and research concerning the use of Laban Movement Analysis
in the teaching of conducting and movement to children, and for advocating the use of the case study in research for training teachers.
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, and professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
at Westminster Choir College
Westminster Choir College
Westminster Choir College is a residential college of music, part of Rider University, located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States.Westminster Choir College educates men and women at the undergraduate and graduate levels for musical careers in music education, voice performance, piano...
of Rider University
Rider University
Rider University is a private, coeducational and nonsectarian university located chiefly in Lawrenceville, in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States...
in Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
where he is currently the Senior Conductor and directs the select touring ensemble Williamson Voices
Williamson Voices
The Westminster Williamson Voices is a highly select ensemble that emphasizes in choral music both old and new. It is named for Westminster Choir College's founder, John Finley Williamson, who believed that choral music performed at the highest level should be accessible to all...
and the Sophomore choir, Schola Cantorum. Jordan received a Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
(B.M.
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
) degree from Susquehanna University
Susquehanna University
Susquehanna University is a liberal arts college in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, United States, north of the state capital, Harrisburg.-Academics:...
, and both a Master of Music
Master of Music
The Master of Music is the first graduate degree in Music awarded by universities and music conservatories. The M.Mus. combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy...
(M.M.
Master of Music
The Master of Music is the first graduate degree in Music awarded by universities and music conservatories. The M.Mus. combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy...
) degree in Choral Conducting and a Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
(Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
) in the Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
of Music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
from Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
and was a student of Elaine Brown
Elaine Brown
Elaine Brown is an American prison activist, writer, singer, and former Black Panther leader who is based in Oakland, California. She is a former chairperson of the Black Panther Party. Brown briefly ran for the Green Party presidential nomination in 2008...
, Wilhelm Ehmann and Frauke Haasemann. During the 2004-2005 academic year, he was a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Music Education at West Chester University. He has also been a visiting professor, lecturer, and clinician at a number of conservatories and universities including the Curtis Institute. Jordan is the editor of the Evoking Sound Choral Series.
Jordan is recognized in the musical community as one of the United States' preeminent conductors, writers and innovators in the field of choral music. His contributions include work and research concerning the use of Laban Movement Analysis
Laban Movement Analysis
Laban is a way and language for interpreting, describing, visualizing and notating all ways of human movement. Created by Rudolf Laban, LMA draws on his theories of effort and shape to describe, interpret and document human movement...
in the teaching of conducting and movement to children, and for advocating the use of the case study in research for training teachers.
Notable Publications
- Evoking Sound: Fundamentals of Choral Conducting and Rehearsing. (Chicago: GIA Publications, 1996) (2nd Edition Available 2009)
- The Musician's Soul: A Journey Examining Spirituality for Performers, Teachers, Composers, Conductors, and Music Educators (Chicago: GIA Publications, 1999).
- The Musician’s Spirit: Connecting to Others Through Story (Chicago: GIA Publications, 2002).
- The Choral Ensemble Warm-Up (Chicago: GIA Publications, 2005).
- The Musicians Walk (Chicago: GIA Publications, 2005).