JOHN RATLEDGE–

Dr. John Ratledge, currently in his eighth year as Conductor of University Singers, Area Coordinator of Graduate Choral Conducting, and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Dr. John Ratledge teaches graduate conducting, literature, and pedagogy.

Professor Charles Snead, Director of the School of Music, states: “The University’s choral program surpasses anything realized in the past. Ratledge is an accomplished scholar and artist, a consummate professional in his approach to music making. His standards are high, his teaching techniques demanding, and the results he achieves are amazing. Dr. Ratledge continues to be active as a conductor and clinician on a national and international level, consistent with his reputation as one of the most well established choral pedagogues in the discipline today. I look forward to the future with John on the podium.”

Ratledge made his European conducting debut in 1996 with the Filharmonia Sudecka of Walbryzychu, Poland, and since that time, he has conducted orchestras in France, Greece, Hungary, Romania, and Spain. He will make his Korean orchestral conducting debut in June 2012 by conducting Orff’s Carmina burana at the Seoul Arts Opera House.  Ratledge made his Korean conducting debut in March 2008 when he conducted the Dangjin-gun Chorus, a professional choir in Dangjin, South Korea.  Most recently, Ratledge returned to South Korea with University Singers in May 2011.  The ensemble received critical acclaim for their performance at the Seoul Arts Center, the most prestigious performance venue in South Korea, and the ensemble gave outstanding performances at the JeJu Art Center and the Kei-Myung Art Center. This concert tour was the first time a University ensemble had traveled overseas.  During his tenure at Shorter College of Rome, Georgia, the Shorter Chorale distinguished itself nationally and internationally by giving the premiere of the full orchestral version of the Duruflé Requiem in Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Greece, the organ version premiere of same in Bulgaria, Bernstein's Chichester Psalms premiere in Poland, and the St. Petersburg, Russia’s premiere of Handel’s Messiah. He has received invitations to conduct the Athens and Bulgarian State Orchestras. Ratledge will conduct the Tuscaloosa Symphony Chorus in Spring 2012, preparing the Symphony No. 9 of Beethoven, and the premiere of Joseph Lander’s Sinfonia da Requiem.

Dr. Ratledge was Artist in Residence for Manhattan Concert Productions at Carnegie Hall in May 2010.  University Singers made their Carnegie Hall debut on Sunday, May 2, 2010 by presenting a solo recital in the prestigious venue, and the ensemble is the Chorus in Residence for the National Festival Chorus under Ratledge’s direction.  This outstanding opportunity was fully funded by The University of Alabama.  Prior to the 2010 engagement, Ratledge has conducted two solo choral concerts at Carnegie Hall. Ratledge has sold-out Atlanta’s Spivey Hall nine times. University Singers made their Spivey Hall debut in 2006, and the ensemble gave its third Spivey Hall performance in 2008, Ratledge’s thirteenth performance at the prestigious venue. Major works at The University include: Bach Johannespassion, Brahms Requiem, Duruflé Requiem, Orff Carmina burana, Mozart Requiem, and the Verdi Requiem. University Singers and Wind Ensemble premiered Enterprise, a commissioned work by Hollywood composer/orchestrator/arranger, Ira Hearshen, a work commissioned to honor the seven high school students who were killed in the tornado of 2007 in Enterprise, Alabama.  The John Ratledge Singers had their inaugural concert in Atlanta, Georgia in November 2009.

Dr. Ratledge has conducted over 275 clinics throughout the United States, in addition to conducting All State and Region Choruses in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and South Korea. He conducted the Delaware All-State in 2009. Ratledge has been a convention headliner at the Texas (2004 and 2011), Georgia, and Alabama Music Educators Association, as well as the Georgia and Tennessee American Choral Directors Association. Named to Who’s Who Among America’s Educators in 1996, 1998, and 2005-2006, Who’s Who in America in 2006-2008, Ratledge holds membership in the National Collegiate Choral Association, is a Life Member of American Choral Directors Association; Alabama Music Educators Association; Alabama Vocal Association; Texas Choral Directors Association; Music Educators National Conference; Pi Kappa Lambda, national music honor fraternity; Kappa Delta Pi, education honor society; Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, music fraternity; and has been named Outstanding Young Man of America in 1978, 1982, 1985, 1987-1990. He was named Distinguished Alumnus at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee.  Most recently, Dr. Ratledge was awarded the Druid City Arts Award: Musician of the Year in May 2011, an award that recognizes a Tuscaloosa native who has been recognized in their field on a national or international level.

Ratledge’s compositions are published by Alliance Music, Southern Music, and Cambiata Press. New compositions include: Una Lacrima, SSAATTBB, soprano solo, a cappella, a work that was premiered on November 10, 2011; a new commissioned work:  On the Wind, SSAATTBB, soprano solo, a cappella, written to honor the tenth anniversary of the Southern Crescent Chorale, Janice Folsom, Conductor, to be premiered in the Spring 2012; i am the secret fire in all things, SSAA divisi and two soprano soli, a cappella premiered November 2008 by the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Jon Washburn, Conductor; Blackberry Winter, SATB divisi, soprano solo which was premiered by the Midland Lee High School Chorale, Paula Edwards, Conductor, at the Texas Music Educators Association in February 2004, and I Am (text by Rilke) SATB divisi, Mezzo-Soprano and Baritone solos, premiered in April 2004 by the New Hampshire Master Chorale, Dr. Dan Perkins, Conductor. The Lord’s Prayer was commissioned and premiered in October 2006 by the Concert Choir of Darlington Upper School (Rome, Georgia), Dan Bishop, Conductor.   Please visit Ratledge’s website at www.johnratledge.com.