HOUSTON,
Dec. 20, 2021
/PRNewswire/ -- The Tidelanders are proud to announce that
Ben May, Musical Director, has
earned the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting,
from the University of Houston Moores
School of Music. The degree was conferred December 17, 2021. In recognition of Ben's
achievement, leadership, and contributions, the Houston Tidelanders
Chorus issued a proclamation declaring the 17th "Dr.
Ben May Day."
Dr. May has directed the Tidelanders since August 2018. He brings great knowledge,
preparation, enthusiasm, professionalism and friendship to the
Tidelanders Director position. "Since I 'discovered'
barbershop harmony in high school, I have loved the sound, the
teamwork, and most importantly, the camaraderie that is present in
tight-knit barbershop ensembles. I lead the Tidelanders, musically,
because I hope to perpetuate that tradition of brotherhood and
unity; I want to help lead this chorus because I believe that
choral music can and should bring our city, our nation, and our
world closer together," said Ben
May.
Dr. May is currently an Assistant Director and Professor of
Choral Activities at Brazosport College
in Lake Jackson, Texas where he
directs the Brazosport College Choirs.
Dr. May holds Musical degrees from Westminster
Choir College (Princeton,
NJ) and Vanderbilt University
(Nashville, TN). Dr. May is a
member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity.
The Doctor of Musical Arts degree (DMA) is the culmination of
years of specialized musical study. Dr. May's dissertation was
titled "Going Up to God by Musical Process: A Structural Analysis
of David Lang's the little match
girl passion (2007)." "My piece is called 'the little match
girl passion' and it sets Hans Christian
Andersen's story 'The Little Match Girl' in the format of
Bach's 'Saint Matthew Passion,' interspersing Andersen's narrative
with my versions of the crowd and character responses from Bach's
Passion" said Composer David Lang. Dr. May's academic advisor
was Dr. Betsy Cook Weber, Madison
Endowed Professor of Music. He worked closely with Dr. Jeb Mueller and Dr. Rob
Smith during his studies.
About the Houston Tidelanders
The Tidelanders perform
in the Houston area throughout the
calendar year. Our organization performs charity benefits with Fort
Bend Family Promise, Fort Bend ISD Men's Fest, and the annual
Heroes at Home Golf event. The Houston Tidelanders offers Singing
Valentines, Good Times Shows, and Christmas performances
annually.
For more information, press only:
Steve R. Smith, Marketing/PR Chair
(713) 224-TIDE (8433)
326251@email4pr.com
For more information on The Houston
Tidelanders:
https://www.houstontidelanders.org
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/houston-tidelanders-announce-ben-mays-achievement-of-doctor-of-musical-arts-301447868.html
SOURCE Houston Tidelanders