Jim
Henry holds degrees in vocal music education,
music theory and music composition, including
a Ph.D. in music composition from Washington University
. He is currently the Director of Choral Studies
at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where
he conducts the University Singers and
Vocal Point and teaches choral methods,
choral arranging, and choral conducting. Prior
to his appointment at UM-St. Louis, he was head
of the choral music department at Lindenwood University
for nine years, during which time the University
Chorus quintupled in size under his leadership.
He also formed Voices Only, a unique a cappella
ensemble that performed to rave reviews at the
2004 Missouri Music Educators Association conference,
toured Germany, Holland and Sweden, and produced
a recording.
In
addition to his duties at UM-St. Louis, Dr. Henry
is the musical and artistic director of the International
Champion Ambassadors of Harmony, a 160-voice men's
a cappella chorus that performs barbershop, jazz,
and light classical music. The Ambassadors of
Harmony have produced three recordings, and have
won Gold, Silver or Bronze Medals in International
competition eleven times.
Dr.
Henry’s singing experience spans classical
music to jazz. He served as bass section leader
for the Saint Louis Symphony Chorus and sang bass
with Odyssey, a popular St. Louis-based jazz quartet.
He also arranged for and sang bass with The
Gas House Gang, International Quartet Champions.
He now sings bass with Crossroads, the
2009 International Champion quartet.
As
a composer, Dr. Henry has won awards for his songs
and piano pieces. He served for three years as
composer-in-residence at Central Visual and Performing
Arts High School under the aegis of Washington
University, the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra,
and the Buder Foundation. He was also a music
mentor for the “Music, Words, Opera”
educational program sponsored by Opera Theatre
of St. Louis.
Dr.
Henry travels the world as a guest conductor,
coach, and lecturer. He is also a contributing
author for the new Encyclopedia of American Gospel
Music, published by Routledge.
Jim Henry