From leading LMU Choruses at New York’s Carnegie Hall to instructing young singers at camps throughout Southeast Asia, T.J. Harper, director of choral activities at Loyola Marymount University, ran the harmonic gamut over a busy summer 2022.
“The ultimate success relies on the group’s effort and never on one individual,” said Harper, associate professor of music and chair of the LMU Department of Music. “It’s the community through singing that seems to fuel this art form in every country I visit.”
Following the June 3 Carnegie Hall performance, when the LMU Choruses, students, alumni, staff, and faculty, filled the hall with their voices for the first time in 25 years, Harper set out on an ambitious schedule as an invited guest at six choral music events in five countries.
“My primary role was as a choral music education specialist working with singers of all ages as well as music educators and professional conductors,” said Harper. “While not primarily a recruiting trip, there are very real possibilities for students to come study with me at LMU because of this work. This includes at the undergraduate level and as part of the new Graduate Certificate Program in Choral Conducting offered through LMU Extension.”
Harper was a guest conductor for the Thailand Youth Choral Camp at Chulalongkorn University for two weeks in June. Then he began a six-week engagement as guest conductor and clinician with the Malaysian Youth Choral Artists, Malaysian Institute of the Arts, Penang Philharmonic Choir in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
While he served the Malaysian Youth Choral Artists, he also spent a week as a guest clinician with the Singapore Music Educators; as guest lecturer and guest conductor with the World Youth Choral Festival and Competition in Jeju City, South Korea; as guest lecturer and competition jurist at the Taipei International Choral Competition and Conducting Workshop; and guest conductor with the Busan Metropolitan Choir in South Korea. “It’s been my experience that those with seemingly little, have the greatest sense of pride and ownership of this art form,” he said.
Harper said that each event was extremely successful and special because the individuals he met and worked with were thoughtful and passionate about their work. “I was especially touched by the dedication and emotional connection demonstrated by singers in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore,” he said. “The educational support and scaffolding in these countries are vastly different than what we know in the U.S. Yet, the singers and conductors from this region were exceptionally hard-working, passionate, and eager to learn.”
The singers from Jeju City were incredibly considerate and warm, Harper said, where he conducted the opening concert with more than 600 young singers ages 6-17.
“I look forward to bringing this incredible passion and dedication to my own teaching at LMU,” said Harper, “along with special repertoire from these unique folk traditions. The LMU Choral Music Program will continue to thrive, and I hope to bring the international community to LMU in the years to come!”
