JAMISON STEVENS

Conductor   —   Composer

An active conductor, composer, and music educator from Redlands, California, Jamison Stevens serves as Visiting Lecturer of Choral Studies within the Conservatory of Music at the University of Redlands, his alma mater. There, he directs the University Choir (the oldest choir on campus founded in 1950), teaches various ear-training, music theory, and conducting courses, and is a first-year student advisor. Prior to his time as faculty, Stevens worked within the University’s Advancement Division as a major gifts officer, working to garner philanthropic support for the institution.

Outside of the University, Stevens is Artistic Director of the Community Chorus of Redlands. Founded in 1979, he is the second director in the ensemble’s history, and under his tenure he has worked to increase the choir’s enrollment, diversify its repertoire, and expand its outreach to the greater community. Additionally, Stevens is Director of Music at Community Presbyterian Church, where he provides service and special music. He is also active within a number of service-oriented organizations in town, including the Board of Directors for the University of Redlands Town & Gown organization, of which he has served as vice president for scholarships and for events, and the Board of Trustees for the Redlands Community Foundation.

A graduate of the University of Redlands, Stevens received his master’s degree in choral conducting, studying with Nicholle Andrews, Co Boi Nguyen, and Donald Brinegar. Prior to that, he received his bachelor’s degree, with honors, in music composition and a minor in religious studies, studying with Anthony Suter. During his graduate studies, Stevens was a graduate and teaching assistant, assistant director for the choirs (including the Director of the Youth Choir), taught ear-training courses, and assisted in the production of the Feast of Lights, the University’s annual Christmas presentation. Much of his research during his studies was on the history of sacred music at the University of Redlands, including the Office of Compline, the Feast of Lights, and its originator and University professor J. William Jones.

As a conductor, Stevens has participated in international conducting workshops including with Jean Sebastian Vallee and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Graeme Langager and Hyejung Jun from University of British Columbia, and other esteemed conductors including Hilary Apfelstadt, John Baboukis, Kalena Bovell, Melanie DeMore, Christopher Gabbitas, Jace Kaholokula Saplan, and Murry Sidlin. Stevens has also prepared choruses for performances of The Nutcracker, Hansel and Gretel, Copland’s Old American Songs, and Verdi’s Requiem.

As a composer, Stevens’ works have been heard across the United States for concerts, recitals, and church services by ensembles including Choral Arts Initiative and Voices of Terpsichor and at the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles and the Cathedral Church of Saint Luke in Orlando. As a student, his works were performed for such significant occasions as the 72nd and 74th Feasts of Lights in 2019 (co-composed with Timothy Cunningham) and 2021, the retirement of President Emeritus Dr. Ralph Kuncl in 2021, and the inauguration of President Krista Newkirk in 2022 (co-composed with Timothy Cunningham with text by Dr. Art Svenson).