• Baylor professor named Texas Choirmaster

    Donald BaileyKeeping with our music theme… Shortly after posting yesterday’s blog entry, I received notice of yet another honor, this time for a Baylor professor. Dr. Donald Bailey, recently retired director of choral activities, received the Texas Choirmaster award from the Texas Choral Directors Association — the most prestigious honor given by the group.

    The award is such a rare honor that in its 53-year history, the association has only given it to 10 people. Most impressively, three of those 10 are former Baylor choir directors: Bailey, Euell Porter and Hugh Sanders. In fact, prior to Bailey’s retirement, those three were the only three Directors of Choral Activities in Baylor’s history; Porter led from 1955-1982, followed by Sanders from 1984-1993 and Bailey from 1993-2008. (Dr. Loyd Hawthorne, former dean of the School of Music at Hardin-Simmons, now serves in the role.)

    Sic ’em, Dr. Bailey and Baylor choirs!