About

Deborah Simpkin King

Deborah Simpkin King, Founder and Artistic Director of Schola Cantorum on Hudson, holds a PhD in Musicology from the University of North Texas, a Master of Music in Music Education from North Texas State University, and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Texas Christian University. She has held graduate, undergraduate, and administrative posts on several campuses, teaching courses in music history, voice, sight singing, and choral conducting, and currently works as an independent contractor in music performance and education, primarily in the state of New Jersey. For the past ten years, Dr. King has coordinated the annual High School Choral Festival for the New Jersey Chapter of the American Choral Directors' Association, which attracts high school choirs from throughout the state. Under her tenure as Coordinator, the Festival has incorporated competitive sight singing, now commissioning its own material for that event. She has served on the state Board of Directors for fourteen years.

Dr. King is the alto voice in the professional vocal quartet, Chantez! A voice teacher for over thirty years, Dr. King has private studios in Essex and Hudson Counties in New Jersey. As an independent choral clinician, Dr. King guest conducts and adjudicates choral and vocal events throughout Northern New Jersey, conducts choral workshops and presents master classes on choral and vocal techniques. In addition, Dr. King served as Music Director at St. John's Episcopal Church in Montclair, New Jersey, for eleven years, where she was both organist and choirmaster. Dr. King is also a published editor and writer. Her edition of full anthems by Baroque composer John Blow is published by Oxford University Press. Her dissertation, The Full Anthems and Services of John Blow and the Question of an English Stile Antico, was honored with the 1990 University of North Texas Graduate Dean's Dissertation Award for Scholarly Communication. Her editing and writing activities are currently focused on the creation of music and program notes for her choirs. Dr. King has two sons: Patrick Daniel, 28, Production Assistant for The Daily Show; and Michael Alexander, 20, a sophomore (and a tenor!) at Westminster Choir College, majoring in music education and theatre.

Schola Cantorum on Hudson

Schola Cantorum on Hudson is a 40-to-45-voice choral ensemble and educational organization. Our singers represent a mix of well-qualified amateurs and active professionals. Singing membership is attained through a successful audition. The Hudson County based choral ensemble presents a minimum of three different programs each year: a seasonal concert in December, an Ethnic Celebration Series concert and a special theme concert. Each program is often repeated in additional venues. Concerts regularly attract hundreds of dedicated and enthusiastic audience members, representing the diverse communities of Hudson County and the New York metropolitan area. For the past two years, Schola has the privileged invitation to perform for the thousands of people who attend the annual “A City Singing At Christmas” at the Cathedral of St. Patrick. Schola Cantorum on Hudson has been hailed by critics for its innovative program and “the most uniquely rounded bel canto singing ever heard in live choral singing.” Schola happily resides at the forefront of contemporary choral music by commissioning and premiering new works, including this season’s premiere of Randall Svane’s Mass. Schola Cantorum on Hudson has produced three compactdiscrecordings: Songs from the Heart, Cantorum Christmas, and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. Schola is equally enthusiastic in its commitment to providing the highest quality of music education to its members and the community at large with programs that build the foundation for future generations of singers and choral music lovers.

more information: www.scholaonhudson.org