Dr. David Morrow
Dr. David Morrow is a long-time member of the Music faculty at Morehouse College and currently serves as the Chair of the Music Department. In 1987, he succeeded Dr. Wendell P. Whalum as Director of the Glee Club. He is also Director of the Wendell P. Whalum Community Chorus, Co-Director of the Morehouse-Spelman Chorus. Several AMP's alums now sing under Dr. Morrow at the Morehouse College Glee Club.
Dr. Morrow will guest conduct the AMP World Music Festival Choir in a concert on June 17 of music from South Africa, Czechia, and the United States. He will also work with the Festival Choir in their preparation for their June 23 concert featuring music from Haiti, Morocco, and the United States.
Dr. Morrow sat down with AMP to discuss his career, Morehouse College, and the World Music Festival.
You are in the midst of an illustrious career as a conductor, composer, professor, clinician and more. You've led the Morehouse College Glee for many years as well. When and where did you get your start in music?
The simplest start was following my brother Donald Morrow (who was 3 years older and became a composer). From our first piano lessons at home, through school and church, I "did what he did." He too graduated from Morehouse College and forbade me to apply anywhere else (even though I tried.)
When did you know that music was going to be your career?
Meeting Dr. Wendell P. Whalum and being able to sing under his baton and study music with him set me on the path to be a musician. I studied voice and conducting with him as a student and that set my path.
As part of the AMP World Music Festival, you will conduct the Festival Choir in a concert of music from South Africa, Czechia, and the United States. How have you approached preparing the students for such a diverse and culturally rich program?
When it is all said and done, try to learn the notes first. Music in performance is a manifestation of culture in a very personal way. In choral music we learn to share the culture first with each other and then with our audiences. As we learn the texts and what they mean and how they should sound musically, we then present it as part of each culture.
You've worked with the AMP choirs since its earliest iterations in 2014. Alums of the Morehouse College Glee Club have been long-time teaching artists at AMP. And today, alums of AMP are now undergraduates at Morehouse, singing under you at the Morehouse College Glee. What excites you most about all of these connections and possibilities between AMP and Morehouse College?
I have been thrilled with the connections between AMP choir member and the ones who have joined the Morehouse College Glee Club. They come musically well prepared, with skills and discipline to be fine performers. Additionally, they continually reach back to bring some others along with them. Each has been an asset to the Glee Club.
What advice would you give to young singers who dream of pursuing a degree in music, perhaps at Morehouse College, but also at other institutions?
Understand the word "vocation" which means "calling." You may make a living in many ways in life, but the ability to be prepared for that which you seem called to do is so fulfilling. While you may have need to wait tables or sell a car or two along the way, your ability to be the best musician you can be and stay ready for the opportunity makes you ready at any time to step into your calling and be wonderful at it!
What country and/or player are you cheering on for the World Cup?
Well, USA of course, but I am also leaning toward South Africa with similar enthusiasm.
