Dr. Brad Holmes

Summer Conference Headliner

Brad Holmes has been privileged to serve as Visiting Professor of Choral Music at Baylor University during the 2022-23 academic year. Dr. Holmes first academic position as Associate Director of Choirs at Luther College was followed by his appointment as Director of Choir Programs at Millikin University where he served for thirty-one years. His term at Millikin saw the development of a multi-tiered program of six choirs led by a nationally recognized choral staff.

Under his leadership, the Millikin University Choir gained national recognition, due in part to seven invitations to perform at national and regional conferences of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).  With the goal of “…creating a unique sound for each piece in its repertoire,” the choir was at the forefront of the ‘tonal diversity’ movement exploring vocal approaches rooted in historical precedence, national custom and folk-music traditions.

A strong proponent of the cultural and artistic value of touring, Dr. Holmes has engaged in an ambitious concert-tour schedule. Choirs under his direction have sung in thirty-seven countries and every state but Alaska. During their annual two-week tours, the Millikin University Choir became a familiar presence in concert series across the United States. These performances, in addition to their frequent convention appearances, shaped the choir’s reputation for unique and varied programing.

Having been a Visiting Fellow at Cambridge University, Dr. Holmes has returned to the UK for multiple guest-conducting engagements, choral workshops and tours. Other international invitations have taken him to Continental Europe, China, Korea and Japan. Domestically, he has led more than three-hundred choir festivals and choral clinics including thirty All-State choirs. He has multiple guest-conducting appearances in Carnegie Hall. Dr. Holmes’ compositions are published by Santa Barbara Music Press and Morning Star Publishers. Additional arrangements may be found at Bradholmesmusic.com.

Brad Holmes received the M.M. degree in conducting from the University of New Mexico and the D.M.A. degree in choral music from Arizona State University.