ABAC Choral Day

The ABAC Choral Program has established a 17-year tradition of hosting internationally–known conductors, composers, educators, and performers as clinicians for an all-day clinic in partnership with local high school choral students and directors. As a part of this clinic, students have the privilege to interact with the esteemed guests throughout the day and then perform with the ABAC Chamber Singers.

It is an honor to have one of America's premier choral music directors, Dr. Jefferson Johnson, return for a second time to ABAC as our Choral Day Clinician. The Choral Day high school students will interact with Dr. Johnson throughout the day and then participate in a studio performance with the ABAC Chamber Singers in Howard Auditorium.

Dr. Johnson is Director of Choral Activities at the University of Kentucky where he was recently named Endowed Professor of Choral Music. At UK Johnson conducts the University Chorale and Men's Chorus. He also teaches advanced choral conducting, choral methods and literature, and directs the graduate program (MM and DMA degrees) in choral music. In 2017 Johnson was the third recipient of the “Distinguished Choral Alumnus Award” from the University of Colorado.

University of Kentucky choirs under Johnson’s direction have performed at thirty conventions of choral music educators, including national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO), Music Educators National Conference (NAfME), and Intercollegiate Male Choruses (IMC). Most recently the UK Men’s Chorus was featured at the 2023 Kentucky Music Educators Conference, and at the 2022 ACDA Southern Region Convention (Raleigh, NC), the 2020 ACDA Southern Region Conference (Mobile, AL) as well as in performance at the 2018 ACDA Southern Division Convention (Louisville), the 2015 ACDA National Convention (Salt Lake City), the 2013 NCCO National Convention (Charleston, SC), the 2012 ACDA Southern Division Convention (Winston-Salem), and the 2011 ACDA National Convention (Chicago). The UK Chorale appeared as featured performers at Carnegie Hall in March of 2023. The Chorale has toured internationally and has also appeared at the 2024 and 2016 ACDA Southern Region Conventions.