Background

David Howard is Associate Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at Stephen F. Austin State University where he conducts the Choral Union, Women's Choir, and the Opera Chorus. He also teaches applied voice and choral conducting. Prior to his appointment at SFA, Dr. Howard conducted choirs at the secondary level in the Oklahoma City area. His choirs have been warmly received at festivals in Texas, Illinois, and Colorado. He also served as artistic director/conductor of two auditioned civic choruses: the Steiner Chorale in Lansing, Michigan and the Midwest Choral Society in Midwest City, Oklahoma.

In addition to choral conducting, Dr. Howard maintains an active solo performance schedule with frequent oratorio and cantata presentations by churches, university choirs, community choirs, and schools. Forthcoming engagements include an appearance with the combined choirs and the Symphony Orchestra of the SFA School of Music as the baritone soloist in a performance of Orff's Carmina Burana. Dr. Howard has also appeared in various opera productions. As a recitalist, Dr. Howard frequently performs with pianist Manuel Antonio Carrillo, specializing in lieder, English art song, and the music of Bach.

Dr. Howard holds a number of professional affiliations including those with the International Federation for Choral Music, the American Choral Directors Association, the National Collegiate Choral Organization, the College Music Society, Pi Sigma Alpha honorary fraternity (Mortar Board), and Alpha Chi honorary fraternity. Dr. Howard is listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, and in Who's Who among America's Teachers.

He has completed the Bachelor of Music Education degree and Master of Music degree in vocal performance (cum laude) at the University of Central Oklahoma and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from Michigan State University. His conducting teachers were David Rayl, Jonathan Reed, Sandra Snow, and Lon Dehnert.