I will conduct the Ouachita Singers and Concert Choir as well as teach courses in
conducting, choral music, and music education.
Biography
Dr. Alex T. Favazza, Jr. serves as Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor
of Music at Ouachita Baptist University where he conducts the Ouachita Singers, Concert
Choir, and teaches courses in conducting and choral music. Before joining the faculty
at OBU, Dr. Favazza was Head of the Division of the Arts at Southwest Baptist University
where he also served as Director of Choral Studies. Dr. Favazza was previously Director
of Choral Activities at the University of New Hampshire and Conductor of New Hampshire’s
oldest choral society, Rockingham Choral Society. As an active guest clinician, Dr.
Favazza has conducted honor choir performances, led masterclasses, presented at conferences,
and guest lectured throughout the United States and internationally. Favazza’s research
interests include Choral Literature, Estonian choral music, and Music Education. He
holds a Ph.D. in Music Education specializing in Choral Conducting from Florida State
University, M.M. in Choral Conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi,
and B.M. in Vocal Music Education from Middle Tennessee State University. A native
of Tennessee, Dr. Favazza began his career as a public high school choir director
in Memphis, TN. As a composer, Dr. Favazza’s choral works are published by Hinshaw
Music and Colla Voce Music. His compositions have been performed by numerous all-state
and regional honor choirs as well as collegiate, high school, community and religious
choirs throughout the United States. Additionally, Dr. Favazza holds membership in
the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), National Association for Music Education
(NAfME), American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), National
Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO), and College Music Society (CMS). Dr. Favazza
is a lifelong church musician and serves as Director of Worship Ministries at First
Baptist Church, Arkadelphia, AR. He is married to Melanie Favazza, and they have two
children, Tripp and Ellie.
Q&A
Why did you come to Ouachita?
Ouachita is unique in that it offers a truly comprehensive performing arts school
comparable with much larger schools within a Christ-centered environment. The faculty
are incredible scholar-performers who work together to lift students up and honor
God. Also, being from Memphis, TN, coming to Ouachita and the Mid-South is like coming
home. I am close to my family and blessed to be in a wonderful community in Arkadelphia.
Why did you decide to become a professor?
I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was fourteen years old. I spent time teaching
public school, and I enjoyed seeing students grow and fall in love with Music. During
my graduate studies, I was drawn to higher education. The unique opportunity to be
surrounded by people at the top of their respective fields in Music creates an electric
environment where creativity thrives; people become in touch with their true professional
joys. The university is one of the few places where this magic happens.
Why is your subject an important one in our world?
Choral Music requires community – you can’t do it alone. In a world where we consume
much of our music through digital recordings, making choral music together is uniquely
beautiful social practice. Choral music has been performed similarly for hundreds
of years yet the stunning, cathartic experience still touches the hearts of modern
participants and audiences. It’s in our DNA – we were made to sing in choir. When
John describes Heaven, he says every living creature joined the choir and sang, “Blessing
and honor and glory and power be unto Him that sits on the throne and unto the Lamb
forever and ever!” In choir, we get to reenact that experience now.
What do you want future students to know about your degree program?
Regardless which direction you choose to go professionally in music, there are fantastic,
high-quality musical opportunities for you at Ouachita. The School of Performing Arts
is big enough to have dynamic offerings while maintaining a personal touch that is
unparalleled. You will have a community here. You will be loved. You will grow. You
will have faculty mentors that have extensive experience and success in the music
profession.
What do you like to do in your free time?
- Spend time with my family
- Disc golf
- Watch sports: NFL, NBA, NCAA football
- Cook
What has been a meaningful Bible verse or passage for you?
The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing
(Zeph. 3:17)
This verse is comforting: God gives victory; God rejoices over us; God renews us.
This verse also reminds us that God sings, and when we sing, we are embodying God's
image.
Publications
Forthcoming: “Reconciliation” SATB, piano, Accessible and Beautiful (Oxford Anthology),
Oxford University Press Favazza, A & Eady, C. A. (2020). Resilient choral teachers.
Choral Journal, 61(2), 18–29. “Your Heart” SATB, piano, 2017, Colla Voce Music 44-96720,
“To Thee, Cherubim and Seraphim” SATB with piano (opt. orchestra) (opt. chamber ensemble),
2017, from Te Deum in D Major “Dettingen” HWV 283 – G. F. Handel, ed. & arr. – Alex
T. Favazza, Jr., Hinshaw Music HMC 2530 “Bes Inshafat bi Jamal” SATB with piano and
horn, 2017, Hinshaw Music HMC 2526 “Pasce Agnos Meos” TTBB unaccompanied, 2015, Colla
Voce Music 44-96750 “I Thought of You” SATB unaccompanied, 2015, Colla Voce Music
44-96790 “Hidden Love” SSAA unaccompanied, 2015, Colla Voce Music 44-96780 “Garden
Song” SATB, piano, solo C-instrument, 2014, Colla Voce Music 44-96770
