Michael Murphy

Michael Murphy is the Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Music at Stephen F. Austin State University where he conducts choral ensembles, teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in conducting, choral literature, choral techniques, and administers the masters in choral conducting program. Prior to his appointment to SFASU, Michael was Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor at University of Idaho where he was founder of the annual Idaho Bach Festival and was recognized with the University of Idaho Mid-Career Faculty Award for outstanding scholarship, teaching, and engagement. Dr. Murphy serves as an active adjudicator and clinician for workshops, festivals, honor choirs, and clinics and his international conducting experiences include Austria, China, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Germany. In 2016, Michael was awarded the Confucius Institute Understanding China Fellowship and served as Visiting Scholar to Sun Yat-sen University, South China University of Technology, and Guangzhou University of Foreign Studies. Murphy has been published several times in Choral Journal and is a contributing author to volume 4 of Teaching Music Through Performance in Choir scheduled to be published by GIA in 2017. As an active member, he has held several state and national leadership positions in ACDA, NAfME, NCCO, and other professional organizations. As a passionate champion of music for all, Michael has had experience teaching all ages and levels and several auditioned and non-auditioned community and church choirs. Murphy received his degrees in Conducting and Choral Music Education from Florida State University and East Carolina University.