Deborah Chandler is the Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Conducting at the University
of Louisiana Monroe. She conducts the Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, and University
Chorale. Dr. Chandler teaches choral literature, advanced conducting and is professor
of graduate conducting for the summer Masters of Music Education program. She also
serves as orchestral conductor for the yearly operas and musicals at ULM.
In 2005, Dr. Chandler founded the Bayou Masterworks Chorale (formerly Monroe Symphony
Chorus) and serves as artistic director and conductor. She produces and hosts a weekly
radio show, “Vocal Vibes” on KEDM public radio and serves as Minister of Music at
Northminster Church in Monroe.
Dr. Chandler received her Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education/Conducting at Florida
State University, Tallahassee, Fl. where she also received her Master of Music Education.
For eighteen years, she served as Minister of Music in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
In Tallahassee, she taught music history and directed the Tallahassee Civic Chorale
at Tallahassee Community College and was given the status of Conductor Emeritus in
2004.
In Florida, Dr. Chandler received the Guardian Ad Litem Exemplary Service Award, and
was presented the Corinne Holleman Gridley Award for Achievement in the Arts. At Florida
State University, a music scholarship was established anonymously in her name to assist
undergraduate conducting students.
In 2003, Dr. Chandler was chosen as one of ten conductors, selected internationally,
to study with German conductor, Helmuth Rilling, at the Oregon Bach Festival. The
next year, she was selected by Maestro Rilling to conduct at the first Toronto Bach
Festival.
While teaching at ULM, Dr. Chandler has been awarded the Excellence in Teaching awarded
by CenturyLink Inc., the Outstanding Service Award to the Arts Award for Northeast
Louisiana by the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council and the University of Louisiana
Monroe Foundation Award for Excellence in Creative and Artistic Activity. She is a
member of the American Choral Directors Association, Music Educators National Conference,
Pi Kappa Lambda, Alpha Chi Honor Society, and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Phi
and Tau Beta Sigma.
Dr. Chandler remains active as a clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator, most
recently in North Carolina, Florida, Texas and Virginia. In 2017, Dr. Chandler made
her debut at Carnegie Hall conducting a 125 voice choir and the New England Chamber
Orchestra. In 2018, she was guest conductor in Syros, Greece for Mid-Am International
and will return in July 2022 as a guest conductor.
Dr. Chandler enjoys living in Monroe and loves working in the yard, woodworking, reading,
traveling, fishing and being a mom to her eight year old daughter, Olivia.
VAPA
VAPA Music