meet incoming girls chorus and boychoir director

Joel Snyder

Joel Snyder received his Bachelor's of Music. in sacred music from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. He regularly premiered pieces with the BJU Chorale and Chamber Singers. He was able to take part in performances in Handel’s Messiah, Brahms’ Requiem, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Durufle’s Requiem, and Haydn’s Missa in Angustiis among others. Joel went on to complete a M.M. in Voice Performance and a graduate assistantship in the choral department at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI. While there, he performed the title role in EMU’s production of Gianni Schicchi. In addition to singing at EMU, Joel had the opportunity of performing for different church and community groups in the Detroit area. For the past four years, he was the choral music teacher at Vandalia Christian School in Greensboro, NC, where he has applied the training he received in the Kodály method from Westminster Choir College and Capital University. Joel’s choirs regularly received superior ratings and rankings in the NCCSA annual Fine Arts Competition. Joel was also a chorister and soloist of the Bel Canto Company, a professional chorus, during his tenure there. He is a member of the ACDA and OAKE.

Joel Snyder

Most people are surprised that . . .
I’m a martial arts enthusiast. My parents are both black belts in Taekwondo, and I am always looking to learn new moves.

If you could have dinner with any three people from any time, fictional or non-fictional, who would they be and why?
Ralph Vaughan Williams, G.K. Chesterton, and Ray Bradbury. I want to meet Ralph Vaughan Williams because he wrote absolutely stunning music that touches me deeply no matter how many times I hear it; G.K. Chesterton-he makes me laugh and think at the same time; Ray Bradbury because I have always enjoyed his stories.

My dream is. . .
to conduct the perfect concert where the music is great, the choristers sing beautifully, and my conducting is flawless.

What instruments do you play?
I sing (bass-baritone), conduct, and play the trombone.

What are your favorite foods?
Pizza. I love Detroit and Chicago-style. Beyond that, I’ll pretty much eat anything except seafood.

A great musical influence on me was . . .
My undergrad choir director. He has the most subtle and controlled technique I’ve ever seen. He inspired me to lead ordinary people into singing great art.