“The Brahms is one of my five favorite masterworks! I’ve been part of the preparation process for six performances. I’ve sung the work four times as a chorus member–once in a week-long workshop and performance directed by Robert Shaw, and I’ve conducted it twice – once with piano, and once with full orchestra”.
Dr. Peter Jarjisian retired from Ohio University (Athens, OH) where he was Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies for 30 years, Peter serves as Chancel Choir Director at Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville. His wife, Judy Piercy, grew up in Joliet; in 2021, they returned to Illinois to be close to her family.
Peter earned a DMA in Choral Conducting at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Temple University, and the B. S. in Music Education at Susquehanna University. In his home state of Pennsylvania, he taught for ten years at Pequea Valley H.S. (Lancaster County) and held part-time positions at Franklin and Marshall College and The Shipley School, while also singing in the professional choir at the historic First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.
For five summers, he conducted choirs for AMERICAN MUSIC ABROAD, a cultural performing tour of Europe for high school and collegiate musicians. Memorable venues included Notre Dame de Paris, the Royal Chapel of Versailles, the Duomo of Florence – Santa Maria del Fiore, and Coventry Cathedral.
For 15 years, he sang and served as Assistant Conductor of the Robert Page Singers, a professional choir based in Cleveland. During his years at Ohio University, he served several times on the board of the Ohio Choral Directors Association, including a term as President. In June 2023, the Ohio Choral Directors Association honored him with the 2023 OCDA Distinguished Service Award.
For the past three years, Peter has sung in the philanthropic choir, NaperVoice. In pleasant weather, he loves the challenge of playing golf artistically!
