Associate Professor of Voice, Conservatory Choir Director and Choral Artist Matt Oltman, D.M.A., served on the faculty of the 2019 Choral Chameleon Summer Institute for Choral Composers and Conductors in Brooklyn, New York. The weeklong institute included intensive lessons in fixed-do ear-training and species counterpoint, conducting and composition lessons, and lectures by guests such as celebrated composer David Conte and the artistic director of Contemporaneous, David Bloom. Eleven new choral compositions were premiered at the closing concert, conducted by Oltman and fellow faculty member, Vince Peterson. Other faculty members included composers Jeffrey Paraola, Dale Trumbore, Joseph Stillwell, and theorist Steven Smith.
Oltman also volunteered with the Empire City Men’s Chorus (which he previously conducted) at this year’s Dance on the Pier—part of the WorldPride festival, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and the beginning of the LGBTQ equality movement. The featured performer was Madonna.