Renowned conductor, composer fills position of MNU choir director
Music department welcomes Dr. John Leavitt as Visiting Professor of Music
Jared Wilkes
Issue date: 1/27/10 Section: Features
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Just days before the end of the fall semester, Professor Juan Hernandez stepped down as the Director of Choral Activities to take the position of
Assistant Dean of Music at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. Music professor Mary Jane Wilder-Hardee headed the search committee that was left with the difficult task of finding someone qualified to fill the position before the start of the spring semester.
She was advised by a nationally respected composer to pursue Leavitt.
"I saw an opportunity to network and ask experts their ideas and was told Dr. John Leavitt would be a good person to interview," Wilder-Hardee said.
With only days until classes began, the music department approached Leavitt about interviewing for the position. Because of weather delays, Leavitt was brought in on the first day of class, interviewed, and was offered the position.
"I thought this would be a great opportunity and great fit," Leavitt said.
Born in Leavenworth, Kan., Leavitt grew up in a rich church musical background. He has always loved music, and started taking piano lessons as a small child. In high school, some friends asked Leavitt to accompany them on the piano and write music for them. This was the start of Leavitt's composing.
Leavitt attended and received his undergraduate at Emporia State University, later receiving his master's degree from Wichita State University and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Leavitt has received many honors throughout his lifetime. He is a lifetime member of the American Choral Directors Association, and of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. While teaching at Friends University in Wichita, Kan., Leavitt was the recipient of the W.A. Young Award for his excellence in teaching.
Leavitt is a prolific composer, editor, and arranger. His works are both secular and sacred, written both for choir and orchestra, and have been performed in 30 countries worldwide.
With the career and opportunities Leavitt has had, he plans to give it back to his students.
"I hope to share experience with the students and prepare them for their own careers," Leavitt said. "These students are terrific."
The choral students have a mutual feeling about their new director.
"(Leavitt) is a really fun guy to be around," sophomore Karissa Wangberg said. "This is a young program, and I feel that Dr. Leavitt will bring success to it."
Wangberg isn't the only student who feels this way.
"This … was a positive addition," sophomore Eric Newlin said. "I am really enjoying the music and Dr. Leavitt."
Leavitt has many plans to make the music department a success, but he mostly wants to enjoy teaching his students the art of music.
"I want to make the best music together," Leavitt said.
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Since the first day of class, Heritage Choir has doubled in size, with many former choir members returning to sing after hearing about "the new guy." Dr. Leavitt has planned a variety of events this semester for both the choir and the Choral Union, which meets on Monday nights at 7 p.m. Heritage Choir's first concert is Friday,?Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bell Cultural Events Center.
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