Dr. Michael Murphy

Artistic and Music Director   

Michael Murphy is the Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music of the Lionel Hampton School of Music at the University of Idaho.  There he conducts the Vandaleers and  University Chorus, and teaches Advanced Conducting, Advanced Choral Methods and Studio Voice.

Dr. Murphy, a native of Wilmington, North Carolina, received his Ph.D in Choral Conducting and Choral Music Education from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, and Master and Bachelor degrees in Choral Conducting and Choral Music Education from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.  Dr. Murphy’s dissertation, Performance Practice of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Passio secundum Johannem” – A Study of Twenty-Five years of Recorded History as Influenced by the Historically Informed Performance Movement was awarded a grant for dissertation research.

In 2007, Dr. Murphy made his international conducting debut in the People’s Republic of China.  He conducted choirs in concert venues such as the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing, China, the Yanshan University in Qinghuandao, and Tianjin University in Tianjin.  The same year, he conducted Florida State University Singers at the American Choral Directors Association National Convention in Miami, Florida for the Exhibitors Concert.

Prior to his move to the University of Idaho, Professor Murphy taught all levels from elementary to university students.  His choirs consistently were recognized with distinction earning all superior ratings at choral festivals.  For eight years Dr. Murphy was fortunate to serve as Conductor and Assistant Conductor of the Greenville Choral Society Community Choruses.  As a seasoned church musician he has led several congregations as Director of Music.  In 2001, Dr. Murphy was a recipient of the prestigious Calvin Institute of Christian Worship grant made possible through the generous support of the Lilly Endowment.

As an active member, Dr. Murphy has held several leadership positions in the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and the Music Educators National Conference (MENC).  Dr. Murphy continues to serve as an active adjudicator and clinician for workshops, festivals, honor choirs and clinics.