James Melton
Dr. James Melton is Professor of Music, Director
of Choral Activities, and Dean for the School of Communication and the
Arts at Vanguard University of Southern California, Costa Mesa,
California. In addition to teaching in the areas of music education and
conducting, he directs the 80-voice University Concert Choir and the
Vanguard Singers & Band, a select ensemble of 30 vocalists and
instrumentalists. Each of these ensembles present major concerts
throughout southern California and the western United States, and tour
each year both nationally and internationally, most recently in Europe
and the People’s Republic of China.
As a guest conductor for festival choirs in New
York City, he has recently conducted Vivaldi’s Gloria, G.F. Händel’s
Coronation Anthems, and Felix Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42 for Carnegie Hall
and Mid-America Productions. His University Concert Choir has also
presented command solo performances at Carnegie Hall and is frequently
featured on the Crystal Cathedral’s “Hour of Power.” He recently
conducted the Mädchenkantorei ensemble of southern Germany, and has
been invited to conduct workshops and seminars in various colleges and
universities throughout Europe and southeast Asia. His various
ensembles have 10 recording projects to their credit. Dr. Melton earned
the Doctor of Musical Arts degree (DMA) in Choral Music from Arizona
State University (1987), as well as the Master of Music degree (MM) in
Conducting, and received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from
Oklahoma Baptist University (1979). Dr. Melton has teaching experience
in schools from high school through the college/seminary level, as well
as over 25 years of experience leading music in churches of various
denominations and sizes. He has composed and arranged music for several
publishing companies including Brentwood, Tempo Music, and the John W.
Peterson Music Company. Dr. Melton also produces sacred choral
recordings for Hal Leonard Publications, Fred Bock Music and Pavane
Music Companies. He recently served as a contributing editor for the
new edition of The New Worship: Straight Talk on Music and the Church
published by Baker Books. Dr. Melton is a frequent choral clinician,
workshop leader, and lecturer, and has served as guest conductor for
California regional and district festivals as well as directing
A.C.S.I. all-state and festival choirs in Arizona, New Mexico,
Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii. He has served as
Minister of Music at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach
since 2005, and is extremely grateful for St. Andrew’s Sanctuary
Choir’s love and support of Vanguard University and its students.
|
