Albert John McNeil (February 14, 1920 – November 29, 2022) was an American choral conductor,
ethnomusicologist
Ethnomusicology is the study of music from the cultural and social aspects of the people who make it. It encompasses distinct theoretical and methodical approaches that emphasize cultural, social, material, cognitive, biological, and other dim ...
, author, and founder of the
Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers. His career was dedicated to upholding choral music traditions with the presentation of Negro
spirituals and concert music by African American composers. He was Professor Emeritus of Music at the
University of California, Davis, where he was director of choral activities and headed the Music Education Program.
Early life and education
McNeil was born in
Los Angeles,
California on February 14, 1920.
McNeil earned a bachelor's and a master's degree at the
University of California, Los Angeles, and did his doctoral studies at the
University of Southern California, the
Westminster Choir College of Princeton, and the
University of Lausanne, Switzerland. Among his teachers were
Raymond Moreman,
Charles Hirt,
J. Finley Williamson,
Roger Wagner
Roger Wagner, KCSG (January 16, 1914 – September 17, 1992) was an American choral musician, administrator and educator. He founded the Roger Wagner Chorale, which became one of America's premier vocal ensembles.
Early life
Wagner was born in L ...
,
Howard Swan
Howard Shelton Swan (March 19, 1906 – September 19, 1995) was an American choral conductor, tenor, music educator, and writer on music. A highly influential figure in American choral music during the 20th century, Swan was sometimes referred to ...
, and
Jester Hairston
Jester Joseph Hairston (July 9, 1901 – January 18, 2000) was an American composer, songwriter, arranger, choral conductor and actor. He was regarded as a leading expert on black spirituals and choral music. His notable compositions include "Am ...
. Dr. McNeil received an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge (CSUN or Cal State Northridge) is a public university in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. With a total enrollment of 38,551 students (as of Fall 2021), it has the second largest un ...
and Westminster Choir College.
Activities
McNeil began his career as a music teacher in Los Angeles elementary, junior, and senior high schools and from there moved on to the University of California, Davis. In addition to that, he became director of the choir at the Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship and Guest Director and Lecturer with the Canadian Choral Conductors in
Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was director of Music at the Founder's Church of Religious Science and a member of the board of the
Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Neighborhood Music School, and Chorus America. He was also a life member of the
American Choral Directors Association. He was formerly, for ten years, Director of the Sacramento Chorale and co-founded the Sacramento Symphony Chorus. He also served two terms as member of the Choral Panel,
National Endowment for the Arts.
Albert J. McNeil was the author and editor of a series of music education textbooks.
Personal life and death
McNeil died in
Rancho Mirage, California on November 29, 2022, at the age of 102.
Awards
McNeil is the recipient of several awards, including: Alumnus of the Year for Professional Excellence, presented by his alma mater, UCLA; The Michael Korn Founders Award for Development of the Professional Choral Art (1999), granted by Chorus America;
and a Lifetime Achievement Award given by the
American Choral Directors Association. He was also honored as a Sterling Patron of
Mu Phi Epsilon
Mu Phi Epsilon () is a co-ed international professional fraternity, professional music fraternity. It has over 75,000 members in 227 collegiate chapters and 113 Alumnus/a, alumni chapters in the US and abroad.
History
Mu Phi Epsilon was founde ...
.
Recordings
*Albert J. McNeil and Roberta McLaughlin: ''Music Of The Black Man In America'' (Double LP), Bowmar Records, 1973
References
External links
The Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers of Los AngelesAlbert McNeil on singers.comArrangements by Albert McNeil on sheetmusicplus.comInformation at UC Davis
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mcneil, Albert J.
1920 births
2022 deaths
American choral conductors
American male conductors (music)
21st-century American conductors (music)
21st-century American male musicians
American men centenarians
Musicians from Los Angeles