Friends University is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Rayvon T.J. Moore as the university’s Director of Choral Studies and Singing Quakers Director. Dr. Moore will officially start at Friends University in August 2020.
Dr. Moore earned his bachelor’s degree in choral music from the University of Southern California (USC), his master’s degree in choral conducting from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) and his doctoral degree in conducting from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, New York.
Moore has an extensive choral conducting resume and is a versatile performer. He has sung back up for The Rolling Stones, Barry Manilow, Patti Austin, Andrea Bocelli, Kathleen Battle and Deborah Voigt. He specializes in topics on conducting pedagogy, concert programming and interpreting African American spirituals.
“I am exceedingly happy to see a gentleman of his talent and background lead the Singing Quakers,” said Dr. Cecil Riney, retired Singing Quakers director and namesake of the Riney Fine Arts Center on the Friends University campus. “We both studied music at the University of Southern California and have that in common. Some of his mentors were my colleagues. I’m really impressed by his credentials and anxious to get him here to make an impact on our community.”
Prior to being hired at Friends University, Moore served as the Adjunct Director of Choral Activities at Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y. and the Director of Music at Western Presbyterian Church in Palmyra, N.Y. He is an educator, conductor and baritone known for his energetic, yet sensitive conducting and his rich baritone voice.
Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.