SHORT BIO

As a life long musician, Grant has dedicated himself to producing high quality music with excellent presentation to engage a broad community. Currently the Director of Choral Activities and Music Department Chair at The College of Idaho, he conducts multiple ensembles and teaches courses in conducting, music education, and choral pedagogy. In the vibrant Liberal Arts education system of the college, Grant works with student from a wide array of specialties tying their musical experience to the multifaceted curriculum of the college. In his dual administrative role, Grant has invigorated the executive side of music - increasing scholarship funding and supporting funds significantly, to give the students and faculty the means to engage in the human art of music.

​

Grant also serves as Music Director for the Boise Philharmonic Master Chorale, engaging the ensemble in major works with the orchestra as well as more intimate community performances. In the spring of 2023, Grant conducted the Boise Philharmonic and Master Chorale in a poignant performance featuring Adolphus Hailstork's I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes, paired with Brahms' Schicksalslied and Elaine Hagenberg's newest composition - Illuminare. Preparing choral ensembles for major works is one of Grant’s great passions. He has prepared works such as Britten’s War Requiem, Penderecki’s St. Luke Passion, Poulenc's Gloria, Bernstein’s Mass, and Handel’s Messiah.

 

Specializing in Vocology and Music Education, Grant's work as a conductor centers around improving vocal function in large choirs - applying techniques from voice science, and the studio, in the choir rehearsal. His research involves shifting the language choral conductors use in rehearsal to target the physiological challenges faced by the singers in a given ensemble. Working with several groups ranging from 16 to 100+ members, Grant has been noted for his strong leadership skills and rehearsal techniques. 

 

Grant began his career teaching high school choral music in Tennessee at Wilson Central High School (WCHS), conducting multiple scholastic ensembles and various volunteer groups. His ensemble were consistently rated among the highest in regional and state adjudication festivals, and they appeared in both the 2013 TNMEA State Conference and 2015 TNACDA State Conference. Here he cultivated a passion not only for conducting and teaching, but for preparing future music educators. He was proud and honored to mentor several student teachers alogn the way, infusing his passion and skills for choral music into each student's moment at the podium.

 

​During his graduate work at Westminster Choir College, Grant was the Assistant Conductor for the Westminster Choir under the baton of Dr. Joe Miller. Grant conducted the ensemble in both regional tour and in Barcelona at the 2017 World Choral Symposium. He also performed in Westminster's Kantorei, Westminster's early music ensemble, under the baton of Dr. Amanda Quist. The ensemble's exceptional skills lead to performances across France and the United Kingdom as well as an album recording, Lumina. Performing with the Westminster Symphonic Choir, Grant had the fortunate opportunity to sing under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Simon Rattle, Jane Glover, Alan Gilbert, Jacques Lacombe, and Charles Dutoit. During these grand, large-scale experiences, the first sparks of interest in major works preparation ignited within him.

 

As an Associate Instructor of the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, Grant was an Associate Conductor for the Oratorio Chorus in coordination with Dr. Betsy Burleigh and Dr. Dominick DiOrio, honing his skills as a large-scale rehearsal technician and conductor. Working with this large ensemble, Grant assisted in preparing works such as Pendercki's St. Luke Passion, Britten's War Requiem, and Brahms' Schicksalslied. He was also the Assistant Chorus Master for IU Opera's productions of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, Bernstein's Mass, and Puccini's Suor Angelica. 

​

While in Bloomington, Indiana, Grant served as the Assistant Conductor for the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Chorus. This ensemble is a semi-professional community chorus that performs a variety of works with a large orchestra. Grant assisted in preparing the ensemble for works such as Handel's Messiah, Brahms' Triumphlied, Duruflé's Requiem, and various octavos. ​In addition, Grant served as Music Director at First Presbyterian Church, Bloomington. Some of the major works performed by this ensemble include Handel's Messiah, Bach Cantata 106 Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit, and Vivaldi's Magnificat.

​

As a performer, Grant has maintained an active presence throughout his career including a role in Eugene Onegin (Captain) at the 2017 Spoleto Festival U.S.A. He maintains active solo engagements with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, and he has also performed as a soloist throughout the Middle Tennessee area including Music City Baroque Ensemble, St. George Episcopal Church, Downtown Presbyterian Church, Middle Tennessee State University, Sewanee University, Tennessee State University. He has also been an active member of several ensembles including the Westminster Choir, Westminster Kantorei Choir, Philadelphia Symphonic Chorus, Music City Baroque, and Nashville Chamber Singers.

​

Grant is doctoral candidate in Choral Conducting with a minor in Vocology at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, under the tutelage of Dr. Betsy Burleigh, Dr. Dominick DiOrio, Prof. Walter Huff, and Dr. Brian Gill. He received his masters of music in choral conducting at the Westminster Choir College under the tutelage of Dr. Joe Miller and Dr. Amanda Quist. His undergraduate degree in vocal music education is from Middle Tennessee State University under the tutelage of Dr. Raphael Bundage, Dr. Jamila McWhirter, Dr. Nancy Boone-Allsbrook, and Dr. Christine Isley-Farmer.