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'''Joseph Hugh Thomas''' was a choral conductor, pianist and educator, perhaps best remembered for his role as conductor of the renowned Concert Choir of [[Birmingham-Southern College]].  He served for many years as chairman of the Department of Music at BSC.  His work has been honored numerous times by professional organizations such as the American Choral Directors Association.
'''Joseph Hugh Thomas''' (born c. [[1912]]; died [[July 24]], [[2002]]) was a choral conductor, pianist and educator, and conductor. He directed the Concert Choir at [[Birmingham-Southern College]] from [[1964]] to [[1993]] and also led the [[Birmingham Concert Chorale]].


== A Tradition of Excellence ==
Thomas earned his bachelor's degree from Birmingham-Southern in [[1933]], and bachelor's and master's degrees from the [[Birmingham Conservatory of Music]]. He studied piano with [[Dorsey Whittington]] and conducting with [[Robert Shaw]]. He also studied analysis with Julius Hereford at the Berkshire Music Center in Lenox, Massachusetts. In [[1951]], he made his professional debut as a conductor of the Hugh Thomas Chorus at Town Hall in New York. He also was a piano soloist with Andre Kostelanetz.


As stated on the website of Birmingham-Southern Department of Music,  "The Concert Choir’s history began with late BSC music professors [[Raymond Anderson]] and Hugh Thomas. Each brought his musicianship and dedication to the Concert Choir and established the foundation of quality the college strives to continue today."  That tradition of excellence is carried on today by Dr [[Lester Siegel]], the current conductor of the Concert Choir, who holds the Joseph Hugh Thomas endowed professorship at Birmingham-Southern.
Thomas was made dean of the BSC Conservatory of Music in [[1947]] and served as chairman of the Department of Music from [[1964]] to [[1972]]. He then returned to full-time teaching until retiring in [[1982]]. He continued to direct the BSC Concert Choir until [[1993]].


== The Birmingham Concert Chorale ==
As stated on the website of Birmingham-Southern Department of Music, "The Concert Choir's history began with late BSC music professors [[Raymond Anderson]] and Hugh Thomas. Each brought his musicianship and dedication to the Concert Choir and established the foundation of quality the college strives to continue today."


In 1966, the [[Birmingham Concert Chorale]] was founded as the [[Birmingham Civic Chorus]], under the direction of [[Bruce Tolbert]] of the [[University of Montevallo]].  The name of the ensemble was changed in 1977 to the Birmingham Concert Chorale.  The list of past conductors of the group include notable directors such as Hugh Thomas, [[Thomas Gibbs]], [[Timothy Banks]], and [[David Smith]].  The Chorale has long been associated with the [[Alabama Symphony Orchestra]], and is formally designated as “The official chorus of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.”  The Chorale’s mission includes the continuance of its rich choral tradition.
[[Lester Siegel]], the current conductor of the Concert Choir, holds the Joseph Hugh Thomas endowed professorship at Birmingham-Southern. The [[Barbara and Hugh Thomas Scholarship]] was created at the college in [[1998]] to honor Thomas and his wife, [[Barbara Dorough Thomas]], a [[1937]] BSC graduate and prominent Birmingham musician and teacher.


== Notable Students ==
Among Thomas's notable students are choral directors [[Angela Batey]], [[Donald Oglesby]], and [[Mark Ridings]], pianist and bandleader [[Ray Reach]], and organist and composer [[McNeil Robinson]].
 
A list of notable students of Hugh Thomas includes (among many others):  Dr [[Angela Batey]], Associate Director of Choral Activities at the University of Tennessee; Dr [[Donald Oglesby]], Director of the University of Miami Collegium Musicum and the Chamber Singers; [[Mark Ridings]], director of the Birmingham Concert Chorale; and [[Ray Reach]], former instructor of music technology at [[UAB]] and director of the [[UAB Jazz Ensemble]], currently Director of Student Jazz Programs at the [[Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame]].


==References==
==References==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hugh_Thomas_%28choral_conductor%29&oldid=219825291 Hugh Thomas (choral conductor)]. (June 17, 2008). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 24, 2008.  
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hugh_Thomas_%28choral_conductor%29&oldid=219825291 Hugh Thomas (choral conductor)]. (June 17, 2008). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
 
* "[http://www.bsc.edu/communications/news/2002/20020725_thomas.htm Birmingham-Southern music legend Hugh Thomas dies]" (July 25, 2002). Birmingham-Southern College - accessed June 24, 2008
== External links ==
 
*[http://www.bsc.edu/academics/music/choir.htm BSC Concert Choir] at Birmingham-Southern College website
*[http://www.music.utk.edu/choral/directors.html Choral Activities page] at the University of Tennessee website
*[http://www.music.miami.edu/faculty/mvp/oglesby/oglesby.html Bio of Donald Oglesby] at the Univ. of Miami website
*[http://www.concertchorale.org/index.html Birmingham Concert Chorale] website


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[[Category:Birmingham-Southern faculty]]
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Latest revision as of 10:57, 19 August 2022

Joseph Hugh Thomas (born c. 1912; died July 24, 2002) was a choral conductor, pianist and educator, and conductor. He directed the Concert Choir at Birmingham-Southern College from 1964 to 1993 and also led the Birmingham Concert Chorale.

Thomas earned his bachelor's degree from Birmingham-Southern in 1933, and bachelor's and master's degrees from the Birmingham Conservatory of Music. He studied piano with Dorsey Whittington and conducting with Robert Shaw. He also studied analysis with Julius Hereford at the Berkshire Music Center in Lenox, Massachusetts. In 1951, he made his professional debut as a conductor of the Hugh Thomas Chorus at Town Hall in New York. He also was a piano soloist with Andre Kostelanetz.

Thomas was made dean of the BSC Conservatory of Music in 1947 and served as chairman of the Department of Music from 1964 to 1972. He then returned to full-time teaching until retiring in 1982. He continued to direct the BSC Concert Choir until 1993.

As stated on the website of Birmingham-Southern Department of Music, "The Concert Choir's history began with late BSC music professors Raymond Anderson and Hugh Thomas. Each brought his musicianship and dedication to the Concert Choir and established the foundation of quality the college strives to continue today."

Lester Siegel, the current conductor of the Concert Choir, holds the Joseph Hugh Thomas endowed professorship at Birmingham-Southern. The Barbara and Hugh Thomas Scholarship was created at the college in 1998 to honor Thomas and his wife, Barbara Dorough Thomas, a 1937 BSC graduate and prominent Birmingham musician and teacher.

Among Thomas's notable students are choral directors Angela Batey, Donald Oglesby, and Mark Ridings, pianist and bandleader Ray Reach, and organist and composer McNeil Robinson.

References

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