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Until his retirement as Professor Emeritus, Robert Jones directed University Chorale and Choral Union at the University of Dayton. In addition to concerts on and off campus and appearances at music conferences, Chorale has enjoyed collaborations with professional ensembles including the Dayton Philharmonic (Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky, Brahms’ Requiem and Britten’s War Requiem) Dayton Opera (Cavelleria Rusticana and Aida,) the Sarajevo Symphony, and St. Francis Choir of Salzburg, Austria. University Chorale regularly tours abroad, having visited England, Scotland, Paris, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Germany and Italy. He also has appeared as a soloist with the Dayton Bach Society, the Choral Union of Ohio University, and the Miami (Fla.) Bach Society.

Dr. Jones has served as an adjudicator, guest conductor, and clinician in the East and Midwest regions. He was guest clinician for the 2011 OMEA Dist. 12 High School Honor Choir at Wittenberg College in Springfield and conducted the 2012 South Carolina High School Men’s All State Chorus at Winthrop College in Rock Hill, SC. In May 2012, he adjudicated the Kentucky High School State Choral Contest at the University of Louisville.

For 11 seasons, Dr. Jones conducted MUSICA!, a professional choral ensemble known throughout the Miami Valley for its performance excellence. Its musical repertoire ranged from seasonal selections, to partsongs and sacred literature from all musical eras, to vocal jazz and spirituals.  MUSICA!’s first CD, Great Day, was released in 2001. With assistance from a Montgomery County Arts and Culture District grant, the ensemble released their second CD, Reflections on Spirituals, in 2005. MUSICA! performed for the 2010 American Choral Directors Association Central Division Conference in Cincinnati.  

Under his direction, the Grace Sanctuary Choir sings for the Sunday morning worship services. During the year, the choir presents special musical programs performing traditional choral repertory, contemporary Christian, gospel and world music anthems. The choir regularly features strings, percussion, and brass accompanying their choral selections.

Dr. Jones is a published author with articles and music reviews in School, Musician and Director, the American Choral Directors Journal, the Catholic Music Educator, the Indiana Music Educator, the National Federation of State High School Associations Journal, the Chorus America Voice!, the Ohio Choral Directors Association’s Chorus, and TRIAD, the publication of the Ohio Music Educators Conference. In addition, he served three terms on the Ohio Choral Directors Association Board, one as Collegiate Repertoire Chair, and two as Historian and Assistant Editor of the OCDA Newsletter.

Research interests

• Choral conducting