04/24/2024
🎶JUDGES SPOTLIGHT! 🎶
Next, we are highlighting our Concert Choir judges Jason Paulk, Marcus Bradford, and Sean Pullen!
Dr. Jason Paulk is Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, NM, where he conducts the University Singers, Chamber Singers, and Swanee Singers ensembles, and teaches beginning conducting, advanced conducting, and choral methods. Dr. Paulk was the winner of the 1997 ACDA National Student Conducting Competition and was awarded the 2014 Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching at Eastern New Mexico University. Choirs under Jason’s direction have performed at state NAfME Conferences in Florida and New Mexico, the 2009 American Choral Directors Association National Convention, the 2018 National NAfME Conference, and for audiences throughout the United States, Europe, and China. Of all of Jason’s professional accomplishments, he takes the greatest pleasure in witnessing the growth of his students who are following their passions to become great singers, conductors, and music educators. He finds great satisfaction and joy in seeing his students teaching in their own classrooms, developing their own musical legacies, and learning to be servant leaders.
Marcus Bradford is a retired choral Director from Amarillo Texas. He is a graduate of WTSU with a Bachelor of Music Education. Mr. Bradford taught 32 years in public education. He has also been an accompanist at WTAMU for the past eight years. For many years, he was involved with the Amarillo Opera, serving as conductor, chorusmaster, and accompanist/coach. Marcus is married to his wife, Jill Bradford, who is the orchestra Director at Saint Andrews Episcopal school and violist in the Amarillo Symphony. They have two grown children, Mika Daniels and Clay Bradford. They also have three grandchildren.
Dr. Pullen conducts the Chorale, the Collegiate Choir, and the Chambers Singers. He also teaches graduate choral conducting, undergraduate conducting, secondary methods, and supervises student teaching. Dr. Pullen has directed choirs on the high school and university levels. His choirs have been recognized nationally performing for the American Choral Directors Association national conventions twice and for the Texas Music Educators Association conventions on three occasions. Most recently in 2016, the West Texas A&M University Chorale performed for the Texas Music Educators Association convention. The WTAMU choirs give six to seven concerts per year, often collaborating with the West Texas A&M University Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Pullen is frequently called upon to clinic region choirs throughout the state. He serves often as an adjudicator for UIL contests in Texas and music festivals across the country. Dr. Pullen has also composed various choral works and arrangements.
