André J. Thomas, Interim Conductor, 2020-2022

Dr. André J. Thomas joined the faculties of the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and Yale School of Music in 2020 and led the Camerata in a pandemic-limited online concert season. He continued at Yale for the 2021–2022 academic year, conducting  that season’s concerts in person. While at Yale Dr. Thomas also instructed graduate conducting students.

Dr. Thomas had a distinguished career at Florida State University, where he retired as the Owen F. Sellers Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities, and professor of Choral Music Education. He continues to be a choral adjudicator, clinician, and director throughout North America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, and Africa. His domestic and international conducting credits are extensive, including leading convention choirs for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and the World Youth Choir; and orchestras ranging from the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (England) to China’s People’s Liberation Orchestra. He recently retired as artistic director of the Tallahassee Community Chorus.

Dr. Thomas is widely recognized for his dedication to, and accomplishments in, the choral arts. In 2011, the African Diaspora Sacred Music and Musicians Program honored him as a Living Legend. In the same year, Chorus America presented Dr. Thomas with its Distinguished Service Award. In March of 2017 ACDA presented Thomas with its highest honor, The Robert Shaw Award, and in November of 2017 NCCO (National Collegiate Choral Organization) presented Thomas with its Lifetime Achievement Award. In January 2019 he was inducted into the Florida Music Educator’s Hall of Fame.  He is a past president of the Florida ACDA and the past president of the Southern Division of ACDA, and the current Vice President of National ACDA and the artistic Chairman of the 2021 National Convention.