VCU news

By Lissette Linares

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Commonwealth University has appointed John Guthmiller the interim chair of the Department of Music. Guthmiller assumed the post on Jan. 1.

"John’s administrative and teaching experience combined with his avid enthusiasm are sure to prove a tremendous asset in the upcoming year as we begin to redefine our goals and develop a unified vision for the department," said Richard Toscan, dean of the VCU School of the Arts.

An associate professor of music at VCU, Guthmiller is the former assistant chair of the VCU Department of Music. He currently serves as director of VCU Choral Activities, and as director and conductor of the Richmond Concert Chorale and the Williamsburg Choral Guild.

"I’m looking forward to working with the dean and with the administration and faculty, to create and develop an environment that maximizes the potential of the department, its faculty and its students," Guthmiller said.

Guthmiller came to VCU in 1988 after six years as Director of Choral Activities at Arkansas Tech University. He holds degrees in music education, music history and literature and in the literature and performance of choral music. His choirs have performed throughout the southern United States, in Poland and the former Soviet Union, as well as at the Arkansas Music Educators Convention, Virginia Music Educators Annual Conference, Southern Division Convention andNational Convention of the American Choral Directors Association.

Guthmiller also is the former president of the Virginia chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. From 1990-1999, he served as Music Director of Richmond’s downtown Second Presbyterian Church.

The search for a permanent music chair is expected to begin in fall 2000.

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