Philip Briggs joins PJC’s Music Department
Published or Revised August 26, 2010
The Paris Junior College Music Department has a new instructor of music and director of choirs, Philip Briggs, who comes to Paris from Tarrant County College in Fort Worth. "My total focus is to continue the excellence that's been here," said Briggs. "Pat Fowzer did a tremendous job in building this program and support for it in the community. I want to expand our offerings and bring even more opportunities and experiences to our students. I would like to see our student groups represented at state and national musical conventions. The most important thing we can do is build on our established traditions and provide our students with a quality musical experience." Briggs has a master's degree in choral conducting from West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M University) in Canyon, and his bachelor's degree in voice and music education from William Jewel College in Kansas City, Mo. He has been a choral music educator and church musician for more than 25 years and has taught and directed choirs in Texas, Arkansas and Missouri. Briggs has appeared professionally as a soloist and actor with Texas Musical Drama, Mackinac Island Playhouse, Schola Cantorum of Texas, Casa Manana Theater and Playhouse, and as a soloist for the Durufle Requiem with the Kansas City Symphony. He has served frequently as a clinician and presenter in the field of choral music and voice. He has been a National Association of Teachers of Singing regional semi-finalist, and had vocals studies with Dean Wilder, Jane Middleton, Jack Coldiron and master classes with Sherrill Milnes. He studied conducting with Hugh Sanders, Paul Salamunovich, Charlene Archibeck and Howard Swan. The PJC Choral Program has three sections:- Chorale is the largest choral organization and is open to all PJC students. This choir performs one major concert each semester.
- The PJC Chamber Singers are an auditioned choral group, performing a higher standard of classical choral literature representing all musical periods and genres. This choir performs regularly during the year, and groundwork is being laid for this ensemble to tour in the future.
- Members of the previous two groups are eligible to audition for the show choir Encore! and/or the Texas Two-Year College Choral Directors Association All-State Choir. Encore! Is the "ambassador" ensemble, with an auditioned vocal organization performing show choir literature. Enrollment is limited and the choir performs a variety of popular music, Broadway show tunes, and music of the Jazz and Swing era. Choreography and vocal solos are also featured with this group. Students must also participate in the musical presented by the PJC Theatre and Music Departments.