John Leavitt Biography
John Leavitt, born 1956 in Leavenworth, Kansas
John Leavitt is a composer, conductor, teacher, and church musician, whose music continues to captivate listeners and musicians of all ages. He received his undergraduate education at Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas, a master’s degree from Wichita State University, and the Doctorate of Musical Arts from The Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Leavitt is a lifetime member of the American Choral Directors Association and is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, from which he has received annual recognition for his achievements.
Leavitt was the recipient of the W.A. Young Award for teaching excellence, in recognition of his career at Friends University in the fields of music theory, choral, and church music. He has also served briefly on the faculties of Concordia College, Edmonton, Alberta (Canada), and Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois. Leavitt currently resides near Wichita (Andover), Kansas where he has held the post of music director at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Cantor at Reformation Lutheran Church. He also conducted the community choral program, The Master Arts Chorale and Youth Chorale, during their twelve-year tenure. In March of 2003, he received the Kansas Artist Fellowship Award from the Kansas Arts Commission for his contribution to music composition. He most recently completed a residency on faculty as Director of Music at Newman University in Wichita.
Recording Session with Mid-America Symphonic Ensemble,
August 12, 2006
An extraordinary composer and clinician for church and school music literature, Leavitt continues to teach, lecture, and conduct numerous workshops, festivals, and symposia. He continues to serve as a regular guest conductor annually on the Mid America Productions Carnegie Hall Concert Series in New York, which he has done since 1998. He has also been featured regularly on the Manhattan Concert Productions Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Series in Washington D.C.
John rehearsing the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Festival Chorus, Washington D.C., May 27, 2006.
His compositions are represented in nearly every major music catalog, including Alfred, Augsburg Fortress, Concordia, Hal Leonard, Morningstar, GIA, Hope, Shawnee Press, and Warner Brothers. He has numerous publications for choir, piano, organ, hand bells, and string orchestra and is co-author of the widely used choral music method textbook series Essential Elements for Choir.
John conducting at First Presbyterian Church's choral festival in Wausau, WI April 29, 2007
His discography includes "A Sonic Spectacular," organ; "A Little Night Music," piano; "Requiem," choral; "What Child is This," choral; "Silent Night, Wondrous Light," piano; "Jubilee," choral; “On Christmas Night,” orchestra & piano; and “The Beautiful Treasure,” orchestra & piano.
John in rehearsal with the Virginia Wesleyan University's Festival Choir at
Great Bridge Presbyterian Church, Chesapeake, VA, July 29, 2006
For guest appearances, Dr. Leavitt may be contacted here.