April 22, 2022
The Butler School is pleased to welcome J.D. Burnett, the new Director of Choral Activities beginning in Fall, 2022.
“I have always admired the Butler school and the long tradition of excellence in the choirs there,” Burnett said. “Indeed, several of my significant mentors were students and faculty in this program. I am very excited to know the current students at UT, and to help them shape the next chapter of a proud legacy of UT choirs! I can’t wait to get to work together. That first rehearsal can’t get here soon enough!”
Burnett joins the school from the University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music, where he is Associate Professor of Music and Associate Director of Choral Activities. He conducts the University Chorus, Men’s Glee Club, Women’s Glee Club, and UGA Choral Project, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting and choral literature, and serves as chair of the conducting area. Additionally, Burnett is the founding Artistic Director of Kinnara, Atlanta’s premier professional chamber choir, and Artistic Director of Orpheus Chamber Singers in Dallas, TX. Burnett is also the Director of Music at Oconee Street United Methodist Church in Athens, GA.
Formerly, he served as Assistant Director of the Dallas Symphony Chorus, Associate Conductor of the Masterwork Chorus of New Jersey, Acting Director of Choral Activities at Montclair State University, and conductor of the New Jersey Youth Chorus Young Men’s Ensemble. Earlier posts include Interim Director of Choral Activities at San Jose State University, Artistic Director of the New Jersey Chamber Singers, Music Director of the Houston Masterworks Chorus, and Founder of Men’s Consort Houston. Burnett taught high school at Kingwood and Humble High Schools in Houston, TX. He also served as Choral Editor at McGraw-Hill, Inc.
“I have been the lucky beneficiary of many, many incredible teachers and mentors,” Burnett said. “They have opened my eyes, my heart, and changed my life. As a teacher myself, I hope I can offer students experiences that bring them closer to each other, and to the many questions about this life that remain a mystery, and to the musical means we have to express our experiences as companions on this journey.”
Burnett did undergraduate study at Stanford University and Oklahoma State University. He holds advanced degrees in choral conducting from Westminster Choir College and the University of North Texas.
As a professional choral singer, Burnett has performed seasons, concerts, and recordings with the Stillwater Chamber Singers, Cantare Houston, Fuma Sacra, Taylor Festival Choir, Robert Shaw Festival Singers, Choir of Trinity Church Wall Street, Oregon Bach Festival Chorus, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, and Conspirare.