DR. ROSS C. BERNHARDT (b. 1964) is Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where he conducts Camerata Isla, University Singers, and teaches applied voice. He served as Artistic Director of the Corpus Christi Chorale from 2008 to 2015. 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, Dr. 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.

 

An internationally recognized composer, Dr. Bernhardt has won numerous composition awards, including:

• First prize, Concurso Internacional Amadeus de Composición Coral (Spain)

• First prize, Longfellow Choral Composition Competition (USA)

• First prize, Ithaca College Choral Composition Competition (USA)

• First prize, Silliman Anthem Competition (USA)

• Special commendation, Phoenix Choral Composition Competition (UK)

 

His choral compositions have been performed at ACDA conventions and by All-State choirs.  He is published by Mark Foster, Hinshaw, Colla Voce, and Swirly Music.

 

For 11 years Dr. 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, Dr. Bernhardt 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 performed for 11 years with the Oregon Bach Festival under the direction of Matthew Halls and Helmuth Rilling. He is currently organist at Island Presbyterian Church on Padre Island.

 

Dr. Bernhardt 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, and ASCAP.