Dr. Michael Martin
Union-Zukowski Professor of the Arts; Professor of Music; Director, Choral Activities & Music Education
B.M.Ed., M.M., University of Maine; Ph.D., Kent State University
Professional Teaching Certificate:
- NC Standard Profession I License – Code 84 – 00800 – Music Grades K-12
Bio:
Dr. Michael D. Martin is the Director of Choral Activities and Music Education, and the Coordinator of Fine Arts Management at Methodist University where he conducts the MU Chorale, Chamber Singers, “The Noblemen” (men’s chorus), “Grace Notes” (women’s chorus), and the MU Chamber Orchestra. In addition, he teaches Conducting and Applications of Choral Literature which serves as a higher-level methods course for people in the choral music education major. He was the immediate past Artistic Director of the Cumberland Oratorio Singers (now Cumberland Choral Arts) who were Finalists for the American Prize in Community Chorus Performance and inducted into the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame. He returned as Artistic Director in March 2020 helping to steer the group through the pandemic and increase their membership to 85 members. Dr. Martin is also the first recipient of the Union-Zukowski Endowed Professor in the Fine Arts, is a two-time recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award through the National Society of Leadership and Success, and is a recipient of the Exemplary Teacher Award from the Methodist General Board of Education of North Carolina.
His current college groups are in constant demand for performances throughout North Carolina and the southeast. They have toured the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, and recently, Italy, and from Orlando to Boston. The ensemble recorded 2 CDs: A Yuletide Keepsake and Legacy. He is currently the Director of Choral Activities, Director of Music Education, and Coordinator of Fine Arts Management at Methodist University, He serves as the co-Chair for the NC All-Collegiate Festival Chorus as part of his board work for NC-ACDA and is a member-at-large for the Higher Education Committee for the NC Music Educators Association.
He has been published in several music education magazines regarding his qualitative research on facial expressions in choral performance. Prior to the pandemic, this research expanded to the emotional sound of words as heard by visually impaired students, which is a topic he would like to continue. He continues his creative projects through collaborative partnerships with his community chorus, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, and area high school programs.