A Georgia Baptist Institution
Shorter College’s Dr. Matthew Hoch Receives National Award
Dr. Matthew Hoch, assistant professor of music at Shorter College, has been named one of two national recipients of the 2007 NATS Vocal Pedagogy Award. The award is presented annually by the Foundation of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) to fund educational projects related to vocal pedagogy and voice science. Dr. Hoch will use the grant to obtain teaching certification in Somatic Voicework Training, the only graduate-level certification course in the country devoted to the pedagogy of Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM). CCM pedagogy concerns the teaching of non-classical vocal styles including rock, pop, country, jazz, gospel and folk. Dr. Hoch was inspired to pursue further education in this area because of the thriving musical theatre program at Shorter College. He said, “Our musical theatre majors will be expected to sing in all styles when they get employed, and I want to help them get the skills that they need.” |
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The certification course will take place in July at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Va., and the workshop will be led by Jeanne LoVetri, one of the country’s most renowned specialists in CCM pedagogy.
Dr. Hoch received a Bachelor of Music degree, summa cum laude, from Ithaca College with a triple major in vocal performance, music education, and music theory. He also holds a Master of Music degree from the Hartt School with a double major in vocal performance and music history; and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the New England Conservatory in vocal performance and literature. At Shorter College, he teaches private voice, conducts the Shorter Chorus, assists with Shorter Opera, and sings with the Shorter Chorale. He lives in Rome with his wife, Theresa, and infant daughter, Hannah.
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