Ross C. Bernhardt is Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi where he conducts the University Singers and teaches applied voice. He received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from Michigan State University, and Masters and Bachelors degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of Missouri, respectively.
Prior to his 2008 appointment at TAMUCC, Bernhardt served as Chair of the Music Department and Director of Choral Activities at Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee. Under his direction, the Lambuth choral program was recognized as one of the premiere programs in the South. The Lambuth Concert Choir and Lambuth Singers performed for the Tennessee Music Education Association and regularly toured throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He also served on the faculties of Columbia College (Missouri) and Lansing Community College (Michigan) and was a high school choral director in southwest Virginia.
For 11 years Bernhardt served as assistant conductor for the Santa Fe Desert Chorale and was also the bass faculty for the Berkshire Choral Festival in Santa Fe. An active baritone soloist, he has performed with musicians and organizations such as the Santa Fe Opera, Dave Brubeck, San Juan Symphony, Canterbury Choral Society, and the Santa Fe Symphony. He currently performs each summer with the Oregon Bach Festival under the direction of Helmuth Rilling.
Bernhardt’s choral compositions have been performed throughout the country and have been published by Mark Foster and Hinshaw. He was the winner of the Silliman Anthem Award competition in 2006. His research interests include the music of Arvo Pärt and the examination of choral performance from cultural and anthropological perspectives. He frequently conducts workshops for high school choirs throughout the South and Midwest. He previously served on the executive board of the West Tennessee Vocal Music Educators Association, is a charter member of the National Collegiate Choral Organization, and is a member of TMEA, ACDA, TCDA, NATS, ASCAP, and MENC.
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