Brown University

06/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/16/2025 11:45

Brown University Chorus Director Frederick Jodry brings harmonious career to a close

When he isn't leading Brown students in song, he can be found playing the organ for the historic Trinity Church in Newport, directing the Schola Cantorum of Boston, a Renaissance choir he founded, or toting his harpsichord in his trusty Subaru to perform concerts with a Baroque orchestra.

As he prepared to conclude his three-decade tenure this month, Jodry reflected on the high notes of his career.

Q: What brought you to Brown 33 years ago?

I grew up in Ohio and came to the East Coast to study music at the New England Conservatory, and I never went home. I had a particularly strong interest in Renaissance and Baroque music, and I was pursuing a career as a church musician and a singer and a conductor. In 1990, I brought my professional chamber choir to Providence, and one of the musicologists at Brown heard my group. Later that year, when they needed to hire a choir director on short notice he said, "Oh, get that guy." I had not thought about a career in academia, but I decided to devote two nights a week to come try this choir. And 33 years later, that was clearly a good idea!

Q: What has been your favorite aspect of leading the chorus?

It's been a privilege - what amazing talent Brown students have had. And it is really, really gratifying to see the ones that have gone on to careers in music. We've had maybe a dozen alumni go on to become professional choral singers, oratorio soloists and college choir directors.

Q: What's special about the Brown University Chorus?

There's a lot of history. It's one of the oldest performing groups on campus - close to 150 years old. It's also a really good way for undergraduate students to associate with people outside their major and outside their year, so the chorus is always a mix of students from all four years with a handful of graduate students, and very occasionally a staff or faculty member.

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