
The Conductor

Jeffrey Buettner, DMA is Director of Choral Activities and Christian A. Johnson Professor of Music at Middlebury College, where he conducts the College Choir, directs and performs with the Collegium. He teaches conducting, vocal ensemble performance, and the seminar “Singing Communities,” and his current research explores music engagement as pedagogy in the liberal arts curriculum. He is co-founder/music director of the Middlebury Bach Festival/Bach Concerts. He has conducted at the New York Summer Music Festival and in choral festivals in the Midwest and Northeast. He has prepared choruses for the Opera Company of Middlebury, and conducted the Opera Company of Middlebury production of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas (2015). Professor Buettner has traveled to Ukraine for research in Romani music on several occasions since 1999, and as a Fulbright Scholar to Kharkiv State University of Arts in 2010 where he conducted the University Choir. He has presented his research of Romani vocal music (“Gypsy Choirs”) of Ukraine and Russia at national and international conferences, including the 2015 ACDA national conference, and performance study of Gluck’s Orfeo and Handel’s Esther at regional conferences. He has written and performed several arrangements of American and Romani songs, with the Middlebury College Choir and other ensembles. He received the DMA from Michigan State University, MM from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and BM from St. Olaf College.

THE CHOIR

WHO WE ARE
The Middlebury College Choir is a community of undergraduate singers of diverse musical backgrounds and interests who seek to share and excel in choral music performance as a substantial part of their education and development as global citizens. Conducted by Associate Professor of Music Jeffrey Buettner, the Choir sings music of the choral canon, folk music of different global traditions, American music, and new compositions.
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Beyond making music, College Choir strives to make music together, cultivating a sense of community and belonging among current members and an extensive alumni network. Trusting and listening to one another are key elements of singing together; when a group sings as a unified body, the quality of sound production tangibly changes and improves.
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We believe that creating beautiful music with and for people we care about positively impacts our campus, our community, and the world. Singing together, above all else, has the power to bring people together.