This week justArts spoke with Robert P.D. Duff, who has been appointed as the Choral Conductor at Brandeis. Duff will oversee the vocal program, teach conducting, and lead two choral ensembles as part of the Department of Music. He also will continue to serve as the Artistic and Musical Director at the Handel Society at Dartmouth College. 

justArts: What sparked your initial interest in choral music and in being a conductor? Robert P.D. Duff: I began singing in school and church choruses at the age of eight. From that time, I have been intrigued by the sculpting of sound, and the relationships built through ensemble music making.

JA: What kind of pieces do you plan on conducting at Brandeis?

Robert Duff: I believe it is important to expose Brandeis students to master works of the entire choral canon over the course of their four years at Brandeis. To that end, I plan on programming works that range from the 6th century through choral music written by living composers. This season will include music from the Renaissance, plus works by Mozart, Bloch, Fauré, Beethoven and Fine. I am very passionate about new music, and will give the New England premiere of Into the Blue by Philadelphian composer Andrea Clearfield, and will premiere a work by one of the Brandeis students in the spring.

JA: Do you have a favorite choral course that you plan on teaching?

RD: I will be teaching Conducting each spring. Within the course, the student will develop the art of critical listening, and learn methods of achieving and sculpting the ideal sound which they conceive from a work.

JA: How do you think leading two choral ensembles at Brandeis and overseeing the vocal program will compare to other choral endeavors you’ve done in the past?

RD: The faculty position at Brandeis offers me the opportunity to work holistically on the development of the human voice. It is my hope that the offerings will be accessed by students interested in pursuing their musical talents to be used in choral, a cappella or worship ensembles.

JA: What do you hope your students will take away from their time in your choral ensembles and classes?

RD: I hope the students, through exposure to a diverse repertoire, gain both a literacy and appreciation of music, and are able to make music relevant to the world in which they live.