LEWISTON, Idaho – Sarah J. Graham, an assistant professor of music in the Humanities Division at Lewis-Clark State College, has been selected as the artistic and music director of the Palouse Choral Society (PCS).
PCS is a non-profit choral organization serving the quad-city region. Its auditioned body of community choirs brings a wide variety of choral music to venues such as St. Boniface Catholic Church in Uniontown, Wash., the University of Idaho Administration Auditorium, and Clarkston High School’s Concert Hall. Graham replaces Michael Murphy, who stepped down as artistic director this spring after seven years at the helm.
“The Palouse Choral Society is an organization that has high standards and has a history of outstanding music making, which will afford me an opportunity to practice my profession in a different way than I do at LCSC or in my church music work,” Graham said. “I am looking forward to working with the PCS to make choral music more meaningful and accessible to residents of the quad-city area, and especially collaborating with the LCSC Concert Choir in two performances of Mozart's “Requiem” next spring.”
Graham conducts LCSC’s Concert Choir and teaches music, conducting, voice, and introduction to the arts. Prior to her appointment at LCSC last fall, she served as the choral conductor at Kaskaskia College, Illinois State University, and Monmouth College, all in Illinois.
"Sarah Graham will bring positive energy and expertise to the Palouse Choral Society, just as she has done with the LCSC choral music program,” said Mary Flores, the school’s dean for academic programs. “We are pleased that she will expand her role in giving singers and supporters of music more opportunities to enjoy choral music in the region.”
A resident of Lewiston, Graham earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in choral conducting at Michigan State University. She also holds degrees from Whitworth University and Pacific Lutheran University. She is an active member of professional organizations, frequently serving as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for music festivals and competitions. In 2014, she conducted the Washington All-State Symphonic Choir. Graham, who was recently invited to join the Idaho American Choral Director’s Association board as the new membership chair, also serves as the Choral Director at Nativity Episcopal Church.
Graham has planned the four-concert 2016-17 PCS season, including an October concert of the music of Rogers and Hammerstein and April performances of Mozart’s “Requiem.” More information about the Palouse Choral Society and the upcoming season can be found at www.palousechoralsociety.org.