Hymns of Thanksgiving 2011
DIRECTORS
James Jirak, Music Director of the Hymns of Thanksgiving Choir, is also the Artistic Director/Conductor for the Boise Master Chorale. He is Associate Professor of Voice and Choral Music Education at Boise State University. He also directs the award-winning BSU Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the Montana Chorale in Great Falls.
He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, a Master of Music degree in Voice Performance from the University of Wyoming, and a Doctor of Arts degree in Choral Conducting and Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
As a performer, Dr. Jirak has experience ranging from studio and jazz singing to opera roles; from ballet and modern dance to musical theater. In 1997, he performed Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” in Carnegie Hall as a member of the Festival Chorus under the direction of Mr. Robert Shaw. He has performed as vocal soloist on the BSU Faculty Artist Series and with Opera Idaho.
An active clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator, Dr. Jirak’s professional memberships include the Music Educator’s National Conference, the International Jazz Educators, the Idaho Jazz Society, and he is a Life Member of the American Choral Directors Association.
This will be the sixth year Dr. Jirak will serve as the Music Director of the Hymns of Thanksgiving Choir. A native of Nebraska, he lives in Boise with his wife, Sue Rhodes, who taught him how to fly-fish.
Marvin E. Stallcop is in his fifth year as Associate Music Director of the Hymns of Thanksgiving Choir.
Retired since 2006, he is an Emeritus Professor of Music at Northwest Nazarene University where he served on the music faculty for 40 years. He taught courses in Music Theory and Analysis, Conducting, Music history, Music Education, Survey of Art and Music, Voice and Piano, and directed the University Concert Choir.
A native of Montana, he began his music career early. He joined the high school choir as an eighth grader and was assistant director in his junior and senior years. While in college and graduate school, he was assistant director of the Men’s Chorus and formed and directed a Madrigal group.
Dr. Stallcop earned his BA degree at NNU, his MME from the University of Montana, and his doctorate from Arizona State University. He has studied in workshops with Roger Wagner, Robert DeCormier, and Robert Shaw.
He directed church choirs for 20 years, and continues to be an adjudicator for high school choral festivals. He will teach one course in the NNU Music Department next year. In his spare time he sings with the Boise Master Chorale, loves to travel, read, attend concerts, and spend time with his grandsons.
He and his wife Judy live in Nampa. They have a son, Gregg, and a daughter, LeAnn (Craig) and their boys, Jared and Jayden.
Marcellus Brown, Artistic Director of the Hymns of Thanksgiving Orchestra, is the Director of the University Symphonic Winds, Director of Band Organizations, and Professor of Trumpet at Boise State University. He also directs the Treasure Valley Concert Band. He is the founder of the Idaho Youth Wind Symphony and he is the conductor of the Idaho Youth Wind Symphony Senior Ensemble.
A native of Detroit, he is completing a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree at the University of Illinois. He holds a Masters of Music Degree in Trumpet Performance and Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Michigan.
He is an active soloist and performer on trumpet, playing in the University Faculty Brass Quintet and Duo Les Bois, a trumpet and organ duo. He has also played with the Boise Philharmonic. He has also served as a member of the Quad City Symphony of Davenport, Iowa and has soloed with numerous high school bands and orchestras in the Midwest.
Marcellus has done extensive work as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout the mid-western states and has also served in this capacity in the states of Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Alaska.
He has appeared as a guest conductor at the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, and has taught advanced conducting for the VanderCook School of Music Summer Session.
This will be his seventh appearance as Artistic Director of the Hymns of Thanksgiving Orchestra.