Position:
Choral Artist-in-Residence; Director of Conservatory Choir
Email:
austin.thorpe@su.edu
Employed Since:
2022
Educational History:
B.M., M.M., University of Utah; Ph.D., Florida State University
Professional Highlights:
Dr. Thorpe most recently served as the visiting director of choirs at the University of Utah for the 2021/22 academic year where he conducted the chamber and a cappella choir. He also taught choral music at Herriman High School, garnering a reputation for those ensembles’ signature sound, from 2011 to 2017.
He strongly believes in commissioning new works by historically excluded composers, and this year commissioned and premiered “The 42 Project” by Chicago composer Adrian Dunn. This work honored the legacy of civil rights icon Jackie Robinson and the 75th anniversary of his integration into Major League Baseball.
Dr. Thorpe received his Ph.D. in choral conducting and music education from Florida State University (FSU) where he studied with Drs. André Thomas, Kevin Fenton, Michael Hanawalt, Judy Arthur and Clifford Madsen. He wrote the dissertation “Ronald J Staheli and the Choral Art: Risking Total Commitment for an ‘Achingly Glorious Beauty’” while at FSU. Dr. Thorpe earned both his Master of Music and Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Utah, studying with Dr. Barlow Bradford and Dr. Jessica Nápoles.