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Alumnus Jason Max Ferdinand Returns to UMD as Director of Choral Activities

April 01, 2022 College of Arts and Humanities | School of Music

 Photo of Jason Max Ferdinand in a tux.

The accomplished choral conductor said he’s eager to continue to grow the School of Music’s strong program.

By Jessica Weiss ’05

Seven years after graduating from the University of Maryland School of Music (SOM) with a doctorate in choral conducting, Jason Max Ferdinand D.M.A. ’15 will return to College Park this fall to lead the university’s renowned choral program as director of choral activities. In addition to conducting and overseeing the program’s seven choral ensembles in rehearsal and performance, he’ll also mentor graduate conducting students as well as teach graduate and undergraduate courses in choral conducting and choral repertoire and pedagogy. 

It’s an especially meaningful homecoming for Ferdinand: Professor of Music Edward Maclary, the current UMD director of choral activities, was Ferdinand’s primary teacher and advisor during his years studying at UMD. Maclary will retire at the end of the academic year after serving over 20 years on the SOM faculty.

“I am excited to return to my alma mater,” said Ferdinand, currently a professor of music and director of choral activities at Oakwood University. “To come full circle now and take Maclary’s place is somewhat surreal. He has done such a phenomenal job building a really strong program, and I’m eager to step in and build on what’s there.” 

Maclary called Ferdinand a “superstar” in the world of choral conducting.

“Jason has ignited listeners around the globe with his musical leadership and the School of Music family is overjoyed to welcome him back home as he will lead UMD's choral music program to even greater heights,” he said.

 Jason Max Ferdinand teaches a choral rehearsal at UMD.
Jason Max Ferdinand teaches a choral rehearsal at the UMD School of Music in Fall 2021. Photo by David Andrews.

Ferdinand, who is originally from Trinidad & Tobago, received a Bachelor of Arts in piano performance from Oakwood University in 1999 and a Master of Music in choral conducting from Morgan State University in 2001. He began studying at the University of Maryland in 2005, where he said he took advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow as a musician and conductor. In addition to his rigorous studies, he taught undergraduate conducting classes, conducted the Maryland Opera Chorus and the Chapel Choir and co-conducted the University Chorale and the UMD Chamber Singers. In 2006, he led the UMD Summer Chorus.

He began his tenure at Oakwood University, in Huntsville, Alabama, in 2008 as director of choral activities as well as director of The Aeolians of Oakwood University choir. Under his baton, the Aeolians have performed their broad choral repertoire across the world, earning multiple gold medals at the World Choir Games. In 2017, they won the “Choir of the World Award” at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod festival, in Wales, United Kingdom; Ferdinand also won the event’s first ever “Most Outstanding Director Award.” In 2019, they performed at the National Conference of the American Choral Directors Association and were the featured choir at the National Collegiate Choral Organization conference hosted by the UMD School of Music. 

SOM director Gregory Miller said he is thrilled to welcome Ferdinand back to Maryland—this time as a member of the faculty. 

“Jason’s vast choral conducting and pedagogical expertise coupled with his deep knowledge of the entire spectrum of the choral repertoire make him the perfect fit for this role,” he said.

Ferdinand brings to Maryland a commitment to the idea that musicians—and artists more broadly—have both a unique responsibility and a tool for addressing injustices through their work. Last year, he launched his own professional choral ensemble, The Jason Max Ferdinand Singers. The group’s initial performance was at LIVE From London Spring, a virtual event hosted by the VOCES8 Foundation. He also published the compilation “Teaching with Heart: Tools for Addressing Societal Challenges Through Music” to provide support and encouragement for music educators seeking to address social ills. Ferdinand states it this way:

“What would this world be devoid of music? I would like to posit that it would be an unforgivable atrocity to not make efforts, using the tool of music, to better the next generation of global citizens,” Ferdinand said. “Maryland did this for me and I am enthusiastic to pay it forward. I will be pouring my whole heart into this.”

Primary photo courtesy of Jason Max Ferdinand.