Christopher Mason

Christopher Mason proudly serves as the Interim Director of Choral Activities at his alma mater, Southern Methodist University. At SMU, he conducts the choirs and teaches graduate conducting and choral literature. Dr. Mason is the Founding Artistic Director of Vox GR, Grand Rapids’ premiere professional choir. Previously, Mason was the Director of Choral Activities at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI.

Mason earned a D.M.A. in Choral Music at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign under the mentorship of Andrew Megill. While in Illinois, Mason directed the University Chorus, taught undergraduate conducting, was the assistant director of the UIUC Chamber Singers and UIUC Oratorio Society, and served as choirmaster at Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church. Mason’s research focuses on the Latin American Baroque, specifically the analysis and historically informed performance of the music of Manuel de Sumaya, one of the first American-born boy choristers to become chapel master at the Cathedral of Mexico City in the 18th century.

Mason earned his Master of Music in Conducting degree at the University of Georgia under the mentorship of Daniel Bara and J.D. Burnett. At UGA, he assisted with the Men’s Glee Club, University Chorus, Collegium Musicum, and conducted the Repertory Singers and UGA Opera Chorus. While in Georgia, he directed the Walton County Music Guild Chorus in their annual Christmas programs and served as Assistant Director of the Sanctuary Choir at Athens First United Methodist Church.

He earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree summa cum laude and a minor in mechanical engineering at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.

Mason taught all levels of secondary choral education and AP Music Theory just north of Dallas, in Lovejoy Independent School District and Plano Independent School District. High school choirs under his direction have sung at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and with Dallas’ premier professional choir, Orpheus Chamber Singers. He is a former Company Manager of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, a recipient of Southern Methodist University’s 2014 Young Music Educator of the Year award, and a past director of the Dallas Men’s Rotary Chorus.