Gessner selected for prestigious conducting conference

Harris Gessner

Harris Gessner, a senior at Auburn University, has been selected to hone his craft with a distinguished group in the music community.

Gessner will participate in the Student Master Class of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Southern Division Conference in Winston-Salem, N.C. ACDA is an international organization of choral conductors.

Applicants for the master class were required to submit a conducting resume and videotape of their conducting and rehearsing an ensemble on two choral pieces. The association selected Harris and two other undergraduates, along with three master’s students.

“This master class is open to students of all Southeast colleges and universities, 10 states total,” Gessner said.

Gessner explained a master class as “any situation when an expert, or clinician, observes a participant at their trade (singing, playing, conducting or acting) and gives critiques and advice in front of an audience.”

Gessner will conduct a choir of college students for “Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened,” a coronation anthem by Hayden.

Nationally renowned conductor Hilary Apfelstadt will critique Gessner’s gestures, confirm his interpretation as stylistically appropriate and verify all motions communicate with the choir. By working with Apfelstadt, Gessner will learn more about relaying different ideas to a performance group.

“My goal for this conference is to observe some really fine choirs, learn more about my craft through interest sessions and hopefully represent the Auburn Music Department well in my master class,” Gessner said.

At Auburn, Gessner has served as president of the Chamber Choir, student conductor for the Chamber Choir and Men’s Chorus, section leader in marching band and a frequent vocal soloist. He is active with the music department at Auburn First Baptist Church.

The Auburn music faculty selected him for Pi Kappa Lambda music honor society, featured soloist with Auburn Community Orchestra, university representative for the Alma Dark Howard Music Scholarship Competition and numerous vocal master classes.

His parents are Mark and Mary Jo Gessner.

“My plans are to teach and conduct, hopefully at the collegiate level, along with a career in church music,” Harris Gessner said.