Music Celebrations - About Eph Ehly, Festival Director

One of America's most revered choral conductors, Dr. Ehly is Professor Emeritus at the Conservatory of Music, University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he taught for twenty-seven years. Dr. Ehly's awards for outstanding musicianship include the Luther Spade Choral Director of the Year Award and the Amoco Foundation Outstanding Teaching Award. He has studied and conducted in the Soviet Union, Poland, Germany, England Sweden, Denmark, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Brazil.

A research article published in the American Choral Directors Journal named Ehly as one of the most sought-after choral conductors/clinicians. He guest-conducts in Carnegie Hall, New York City several times each year. He has conducted over 80 all-state choirs, and over 500 festival ensembles. As a lecturer, clinician and conductor, he has appeared in 48 states, Canada, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, several countries throughout Europe and presented on more than 100 college and university campuses.

Ehly is a firm supporter of the solo voice. He emphasizes the uniqueness of the individual voice within an ensemble of developing young voices. He strives to accept blend rather than force it. Hal Leonard Publishing Co. has released Video Master Classes that feature Dr. Ehly's philosophies in conducting and rehearsal techniques.

Dr. Ehly received his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the University of Colorado-Boulder, his Master of Music degree from George Peabody College, Nashville, Tennessee, and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Notable teachers he has studied with include Jean Berger, Julius Hereford, Warner Imig, Louis Nicholas, Lynn Whitten and Vincent Persichetti.

On a personal note, Eph Ehly has been a husband to Jan for more than three decades. He has been a father to son Christopher, a Family Practice Physician; daughter Heidi Jane, a Registered Nurse with two Bachelor Degrees; daughter-in-law Julie, a pediatrician; and son-in-law Gregg, a quality assurance specialist. Presently Eph is practicing being a grandfather to Hank, Rae Anne, Luke and Max!