The A Cappella Choir
Jacksonville State University
Dr. Elizer Yanson Jr., Director of Choral Activities The A Cappella Choir is Jacksonville State University’s flagship choral ensemble performing a wide variety of standard choral literature from various musical periods, world music, folk music, spirituals, and contemporary works. Founded in 1960, the Cappella Choir is an auditioned ensemble of students from diverse academic disciplines and has a long-standing reputation as a respected vocal ensemble, with performances at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Spivey Hall. Recently, the A Cappella Choir competed in the CantaRode International Choral Festival in the Netherlands and placed fourth out of ten choirs invited to perform from a pool of 22 auditioned ensembles. The choir was also named a national finalist in the choral performance category – college/university division (smaller program) of The American Prize, the nation’s most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts.
Eliezer Yanson Jr. is professor of music and director of choral activities at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama where he conducts the A Cappella Choir and Civic Chorale and teaches undergraduate and graduate music classes. Prior to his appointment at Jax State, Eliezer served on the music faculty at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. He earned a doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting from the University of South Carolina, a master of music in church music (conducting) and a bachelor of music in piano performance from Bob Jones University. His primary conducting mentors have been Larry Wyatt and Warren Cook. Eliezer has also worked and studied with Hilary Apfelstadt, Don Portnoy, Dian Tchobanov, André Thomas, and Paul Vermel.
An active adjudicator, conference speaker, and clinician, Eliezer has conducted choirs and presented at conferences in the United States, Belgium, Bulgaria, South Korea, Thailand, Türkiye, and his native Philippines. He is a two-time 3rd prize winner (2015 and 2023) of The American Prize in Conducting: College/University Chorus Division and has appeared in Carnegie Hall as conductor three times. Eliezer is a member of the American Choral Directors Association (AL ACDA College & University Chair), International Federation for Choral Music, National Collegiate Choral Organization (National Board Member), and Pi Kappa Lambda. Additionally, Eliezer serves as interim music minister at Southside Baptist Church in Southside, Alabama. While passionate about conducting and teaching, Eliezer’s greatest role is being husband to Martha and father to Isabella and Andre. |
The Mississippi Choral Artists
Oxford, Mississippi
Ontarius Woodland, Artistic Director |
