Department of Music: St. Cloud State University

Assistant Professor of Music: Choral Activities

"Music represents an art so powerful in human experience and rich in meaning as to be at the core of that which is good about life and that which must be shared through education. Music civilizes us, humanizes us, harmonizes us with our world, and makes us whole - thereby fulfilling us." - Bennett Reimer

146 Performing Arts Center
ldnelson@stcloudstate.edu / (320) 308-2260

Lee D. Nelson is the Director of Choral Activities at St. Cloud State University , where he guides all aspects of the choral program and conducts the SCSU Concert Choir and Chamber Choir. He teaches courses in graduate choral conducting, advanced undergraduate conducting, and class voice.

While at Arizona, Nelson served as the assistant conductor of the 140-voice University-Community Choir & Orchestra, the instructor of the undergraduate conducting class, and conducted performances with the University Singers, University Kantorei and Recital Choir . In April of 2005, Nelson was chosen as the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant for the College of Fine Arts . Nelson concluded his studies with a doctoral project entitled: "The Chorale Cantatas of Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Imitation and Re-Creation. An examination of Mendelssohn's translation of J.S. Bach's musical syntax and form." His research was rewarded with a Moller Foundation Research Grant and a rare invitation to conduct the Arizona Choir , the premier choir of the University.

Lee Nelson has studied conducting with several respected conductors including Dr. Bruce Chamberlain, Dr. René Clausen, Dr. Daniel Moe, Dr. Josef Knott, and Dr. Christopher Cock. Nelson's skills as a conductor were recognized with an invitation from the American Choral Director's Association to compete in the 2005 National Conducting Competition - Graduate Division where he won the competition, earning first place honors.

Prior to his graduate school endeavors, Nelson taught secondary choral music for six years at Blaine High School in Blaine , Minnesota . The Blaine choral program included over 250 students and nine choral ensembles. The choirs toured annually both regionally and nationally, and received no less than a superior rating at numerous choral festivals and competitions. In 2001, Nelson was awarded the Outstanding Young Choral Conductor award given by American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota.

Nelson is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, the College Music Society, the Minnesota Music Educator's Association, the Music Educator's National Conference, the National Education Association, the Minnesota Education Association, and he is a charter member of the National Collegiate Choral Organization. Having a passion for working with students of all ages, Nelson welcomes the opportunity to continue serving as a clinician and guest conductor throughout the state and region.