Meet the Faculty

Bryson Mortensen

Bryson Mortensen

Associate Professor of Music
Chair of Fine and Performing Arts


Degrees Held

D.M.A., The University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign
B.M., M.M., Brigham Young University

Office Location: 106 Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center
Phone: 757-455-3282
Email: bmortensen@vwu.edu
Department/s:
- Music

Bryson Mortensen is Director of Choral Activities where he conducts Virginia Wesleyan Vox Vera and Camerata. Previously Bryson was Artistic Director of the Festival Choir of Madison where he premiered more than fifteen works by living composers in four years, and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin – Rock County where he brought the UW-Rock County Jazz Singers to perform at the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association convention. Bryson has worked with living composers such as Andrew Maxfield, Joshua Harris, Timothy Takach, Abbie Betinis, Nathan Howe, Eric William Barnum, and Paul Carey. In addition, Bryson has been a guest conductor for All-District Choruses and Festivals across the country.

As director of the Vox Vera and Camerata, Bryson has led tours to Virginia, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. He has conducted the choirs in Carnegie Hall in New York City, and conducted the premieres of Andrew Maxfield's "Armistice Sonnets," Timothy Takach's "The Longest Nights," and Joshua Harris' "There will be stars over this place forever," which was performed at the grand opening of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.

Bryson’s research focuses on increasing literacy and improving vocal technique in the high school and young collegiate choir and arts leadership.

Publications

“Imperial Propaganda and Caractacus: Social Darwinism and Britain’s altruistic obligation” Elgar Society Journal 19, no. 1 (April 2015): 30 – 37. 

“Finding the Head Voice: The Challenge of Developing the Male Head Voice in a Mixed Choir Environment.” Choral Journal 55, no. 5 (December 2014): 53 – 60.

“Imperial Propaganda and Caractacus: Chivalry, militarism, and the multi-faceted character of Elgar’s British Army.” Elgar Society Journal 18, no. 5 (August 2014): 25 – 36.

“Imperial Propaganda and Caractacus: The Woodlands and Elgar’s Love of Country.” Elgar Society Journal 18, no. 3 (December 2013): 30 – 41.

Presentations

“Traditional and Art Music in Ghana.” Presentation at the Wisconsin Choral Director’s Association State Convention, Appleton, Wisconsin, January 2015.

“Teaching Harmonic Context through Solfeggio.” Presentation at the North Central Regional Convention of the American Choral Director’s Association, Des Moines, Iowa, March 2014.

“A Spiral Approach to Vocal Technique.” Presentation at the Wisconsin Choral Director’s Association State Convention, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 2014.

 

From Wesleyan to the White House
Vox Vera student choir to perform as part of

A Fine Way to Treat a Steinway
Perfect concert grand piano selected for the Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center

Wesleyan Choirs to Premiere "Armistice Sonnets"
Nov. 9 performance will honor the 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I