Dr. Allen R. Hightower Email: [email protected] Mobile Phone: 936-714-1220 _________________________________________________________________________ EDUCATION University of California, Los Angeles, California Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting Awarded: June 2000 Baylor University, Waco, Texas Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting Awarded: August 1997 Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York Master of Music in Choral Conducting Awarded: May 1990 Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas Bachelor of Music in Music Education Awarded: August 1989 ADDITIONAL STUDIES Extensive Rehearsal Observations with Stephen Layton, Trinity College, Cambridge University, 2008 Workshop Participant, Baylor Choral Workshop, 2007 Workshop Participant, UNT Choral Workshop, 2006 Workshop Participant, Texas Tech Choral Workshop, 2006 Orchestral Conducting Studies, Franz Krager, University of Houston, 2003-2006 University of North Texas Choral Conducting Seminar, 2003 Conducting Internship, LA Master Chorale and Paul Salamunovich, 1997-2000 Singer, Member of Los Angeles Master Chorale, 1997-2000 Advanced Orchestral Studies, University of Southern California, 1998 Conducting Studies, Westminster Choir College, Summers of 1992, 1998, 2004 Oregon Bach Festival, Conducting Master Class, Summers of 1993, 2000, 2014 WORK HISTORY/EXPERIENCE University of North Texas, 2016-present Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies Conductor of A Cappella Choir and Grand Chorus Program Coordinator for Masters and Doctoral Studies in Choral Conducting Luther College, 2010-2016 Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities, Weston Noble Endowed Chair in Music Oversee Luther’s Choral Program involving of over 530 undergraduate students in 6 choral ensembles, led by 4 faculty conductors Conductor of Nordic Choir, Luther’s touring and recording choir Teach classes in conducting and choral methods Artistic Director of Christmas At Luther, 5 performances with choirs and orchestra Conductor for the Dorian Vocal Festival, involving over 1,100 high school students, and the Dorian Choral Festival which includes 6 guest high school choirs on our campus Choral Conductor for Dorian Summer High School Music Camp Conductor for Oratorio Chorus and Orchestra: Stephen Paulus commissioned Mass and Haydn Lord Nelson Mass, April 2011 in Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, MN Conductor for Oratorio Chorus and Orchestra: G.F. Handel’s Messiah, March 2015 in Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, MN Assist in the coordination of choirs for Chapel and Sunday Morning Campus Services Extensive guest conducting and teaching including invitations from the University of Alabama, Colorado State University, and Pepperdine University, and Michigan State University 2012 Arkansas All-State Mixed Choir 2015 Missouri All-State Mixed Choir 2016 Texas Private School All-State Choir 2016 Michigan All-State Mixed Choir 2016 Mississippi All-State Mixed Choir 2016 North Dakota All-State Mixed Choir (Invited to guest conduct) 2017 Texas MEA All-State Mixed Choir 2017 Wisconsin All-State Mixed Choir 2014 North Central Division of ACDA Performance with Nordic Choir Teacher of the first-prize winner of the ACDA Undergraduate Conducting Competition in Dallas, Texas, 2013 Conducting students have entered graduate programs at Michigan State, Westminster Choir College, University of Kansas, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and Cambridge, University, England. Sam Houston State University, 2000-2010 Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies Oversee Choral/Vocal Music Program Conductor of Choirs: Chorale, Concert Choir, and Symphonic Choir Teach classes in conducting, choral methods, choral literature, and score reading Guide and instruct MM choral conducting majors 2003 TMEA Convention Invited University Choir 2006 TMEA Convention Invited University Choir 2007 National ACDA Conference Invited University Choir 2010 TMEA Convention Invited University Choir 2010 SWACDA Conference Invited University Choir Large number of students entering school choral positions and graduate programs. Guest conducted all-state choirs in Kansas, Kentucky, and Texas Private School All- State. Guest conducted over 20 Texas All-Region Choirs. Houston Masterworks Chorus, 2005-2010 Music Director and Conductor Plan season and repertoire for Houston’s largest independent chorus Work with board of directors to create budget Select soloists Work with contractor for fully professional HMC Orchestra Conduct all concerts Tallowood Baptist Church, Houston, Texas, January 2007-June 2010 Minister of Music Oversee entire Music Ministry Plan and coordinate traditional worship services Conduct Adult Choir and Orchestra in services Plan and conduct special seasonal events First Baptist Church, Houston, Texas, July 2002-February 2004 Interim Minister of Music for congregation of over 20,000 members Planned and coordinated traditional worship services Conducted Adult Choir and Orchestra in services Planned and conducted special seasonal events California State University, Long Beach, 1999-2000 Visiting Professor of Choral Music in Department of Music Conductor of CSULB Chamber Singers and University Chorus Taught classes in choral repertoire, choral methods, vocal pedagogy Lake Avenue Congregational Church, Pasadena, California, 1999-2000 Music Minister for congregation of over 4,000 members Planned and coordinated worship services Conducted Adult Choir and Orchestra in services University of California at Los Angeles, 1997-2000 Interim Director of Choral Activities for 1998 Fall quarter (sabbatical replacement) Conducted UCLA Chorale and Chamber Singers Taught Graduate Conducting Seminar Doctoral Teaching Assistant and Conductor of UCLA University Chorus 1997-1999 Baylor University, Waco, Texas, 1996-1997 Teaching Assistant for the University Orchestras Assistant Conductor of Baylor Symphony Orchestra Assistant Conductor of Baylor Concert Orchestra Odessa Permian High School, Odessa, Texas, 1992-1996 Director of Choral Activities Texas Music Educator’s 1996 High School Honor Mixed Choir Choral program grew from 140 to 260 students in four years State and National honors in competitions Performance for Governor Bush’s 1995 Inauguration Performed for Texas Association of School Boards and Secondary Administrators Large number of TMEA All-State Choir members Numerous UIL Sweepstakes awards Region VI TMEA Vocal Chair Klein High School, Spring Texas, 1990-1992 Assistant Choir Director Texas Music Educator’s 1992 High School Honor Mixed Choir Superior ratings in UIL competitions CHURCH MUSIC MINISTRY (1990-2016) Autumn Ridge Church, Rochester, MN, July 2014-July 2016 Worship Pastor, (Historical First Baptist Church) Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival, Summers of 2007, 2011 and 2013 National High School Music Festival, Duesenberg Concert Choir Chair Tallowood Baptist Church, Houston, Texas, January 2007-June 2010 Minister of Music and Worship The Woodlands United Methodist Church, The Woodlands, Texas, September 2006-December 2006 Interim Church Pianist University Heights Baptist Church, Huntsville, Texas, May 2006-August 2006 Interim Music Minister First United Methodist Church, Livingston, Texas, May 2004-August 2004 Interim Minister of Music First Baptist Church, Houston, Texas, July 2002-February, 2004 Interim Minister of Music First United Methodist Church, Huntsville, Texas, June 2001-June 2002 Interim Organist Lake Avenue Congregational Church, Pasadena, CA, June 1999-August 2000 Interim Minister of Music La Crescenta Presbyterian Church, La Crescenta, CA, August 1998-May 1999 Interim Minister of Music Pacific Palisades United Methodist Church, Pacific Palisades, CA, September 1997-June 1998 Interim Director of Music First Baptist Church, Waco, Texas, August 1996-August 1997 Church Pianist and Interim Minister of Music First Presbyterian Church, Midland, Texas, August 1995-June 1996 Interim Director of Music First Baptist Church, Midland, Texas, January 1993-July 1993 Interim Minister of Music First Baptist Church, Odessa, Texas, September 1992-August 1996 Member and Substitute Organist and Worship Leader Tallowood Baptist Church, Houston, Texas, September 1991-August 1992 Church Pianist West University Baptist Church, Houston Texas, August 1990-August 1991 Church Pianist PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS The American Choral Directors Association National Collegiate Choral Organization Texas Music Educators Association Texas Choral Directors Association Iowa Choral Directors Association TEACHING ASSIGNMENTS Spring 2018 UNT A Cappella Choir UNT Grand Chorus Doctoral Seminar in Choral Conducting Private Conducting Lessons Fall 2017 UNT A Cappella Choir Advanced Choral Techniques Doctoral Seminar in Choral Conducting Private Conducting Lessons Spring 2017 UNT A Cappella Choir UNT Grand Chorus Doctoral Seminar in Choral Conducting Private Conducting Lessons Fall 2016 UNT A Cappella Choir Doctoral Seminar in Choral Conducting Private Conducting Lessons Spring 2016 Luther College Nordic Choir Advanced Choral Conducting Fall 2015 Luther College Nordic Choir Introduction to Conducting Spring 2015 Luther College Nordic Choir Advanced Choral Conducting Fall 2014 Luther College Nordic Choir Secondary Choral Methods (2 sections) Spring 2014 Luther College Nordic Choir Advanced Choral Conducting Fall 2013 Luther College Nordic Choir Introduction to Conducting Undergraduate Choral Conducting Spring 2013 Luther College Nordic Choir Advanced Choral