GREENVILLE, S.C. (September 8, 2015) – Dr. Eliezer Yanson Jr., associate professor of music at Bob Jones University, has been named as one of seven semi-finalists in conducting—college/university chorus division of The American Prize. In consideration for the award, Yanson submitted the University’s production of Handel’s “Messiah” which he conducted in December 2014.
Yanson conducts the University Singers, BJU’s freshman choir, and the Lyric Choir, BJU’s female voice choir, and teaches undergraduate and graduate music classes. He earned a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of South Carolina, a MMus in church music (conducting) and a BMus in piano performance from BJU. Additionally, he holds a ThB from Baptist Bible Seminary & Institute in his native Philippines.
Yanson has conducted choirs in the Philippines, the U.S. and Bulgaria— including the Bulgarian premiere of Felix Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” with the Vidin Philharmonic Orchestra. An active clinician and adjudicator, he is a member of the American Choral Directors Association (South Carolina Repertoire and Standards Chair, college and university choirs), International Federation for Choral Music, National Collegiate Choral Organization (South Carolina national board member), National Association for Music Education, Golden Key International Honour Society and Pi Kappa Lambda. His scholarly pursuits have led him to present at ACDA, NAfME, and IFCM events, including the 10th World Symposium on Choral Music held in Seoul, Korea.
The American Prize is a series of new, non-profit national competitions in the performing arts providing cash awards, professional adjudication and regional, national and international recognition for the best recorded performances by ensembles and individuals each year in the United States at the professional, college/university, church, community and secondary school levels. Administered by Hat City Music Theater, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Danbury, Connecticut, The American Prize was founded in 2009 and is awarded annually. The competitions of The American Prize are open to all U.S. citizens, whether living in this country or abroad, and to others currently living, working and/or studying in the United States of America, its protectorates or territories.
