Georgia Music Educators Association Choral Division Renee Wilson-Wicker, Chair
2009 Georgia All-State Reading Chorus Constantina Tsolainou, Conductor Chris Fowler, Accompanist Chris McMichen, Organizer Saturday, January 31st 11:00am Savannah Trade Center / Rooms 200-202 Sponsored by J.W. Pepper & Sons Constantina Tsolainou Constantina Tsolainou, the Paul S. and Jean R. Amos Chair in Conducting and Director of Choral Activities in the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, has held conducting positions at Southern Methodist University, Westminster Choir College, New England Conservatory, McGill University (Montreal, Quebec), Oregon State University, and Oklahoma City University. Ms. Tsolainou has also served as Artistic Director of the Canterbury Choral Society (Oklahoma City), Director of Music at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, and Artistic Director of the Aria Chamber Chorus (Dallas, Texas). During her tenure at SMU, Ms. Tsolainou established the SMU/Dallas Vocal Arts Ensemble; while in Montreal she was the Artistic Director and Conductor of Anima Musica, an ensemble formerly known in Canada as the Donovan Chorale. She is currently Principal Guest Conductor of the Arts District Chorale (Dallas, Texas). Ms. Tsolainou has presented workshops, master classes and concert performances in Australia, Canada, China, Europe, and throughout the U.S. In collaboration with James Jordan of Westminster Choir College, she developed the instructional video Ensemble Diction: Language and Style, Principles and Application, and participated in a second video entitled Group Vocal Technique: The Choral Ensemble Warm-up. Trained first as a singer, Ms. Tsolainou has appeared in opera and musical theatre productions in addition to numerous performances on the concert stage. Conductors with whom she has worked include Leonard Bernstein, Charles Dutoit, Eric Ericson, Joseph Flummerfelt, Carlo Maria Giulini, Zubin Mehta, Riccardo Muti and Robert Shaw.
Chris Fowler Chris Fowler is the Choral Music Director at Buford High School and the Fine Arts Coordinator for the Buford City School System. He holds the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Georgia State University. Mr. Fowler is presently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree (ABD) at the University of Georgia. Mr. Fowler is an active performer in many musical styles. He has been a clinician at numerous honor choruses and festivals. His conducting experience includes work with collegiate ensembles and adult community groups. Singers under Mr. Fowler's direction have performed at the Georgia Music Educators state convention and at Carnegie Hall. He has served as a frequent accompanist to district honor choruses and he will serve as the accompanist to the Georgia All State Chorus for the fourteenth time this year. He has served as staff accompanist to many churches in the Atlanta area. He resides in Suwanee with his wife, Joy, and his children, Alex and Hope.