Dr. Kathryn K. Longo is the newly appointed Coordinator of Choral Studies at Florida International University’s School of Music where she will conduct the Concert Choir and Master Chorale, in addition to teaching undergraduate conducting courses. Since moving to Miami in 2011, Dr. Longo worked as a clinician in many South Florida schools, conducted honor choirs in Broward and Collier counties, sang with the Miami Bach Society and Temple Bet Shira, and has held positions with Miami Children’s Chorus and South Florida Singing Sons.
Where are you from?
I grew up in Newport, RI. In recent years I have enjoyed living in a variety of places including Miami, Oregon, New York City, and Connecticut.
What brought you to FIU?
I first learned about the FIU music program when I moved South Florida in 2011 to pursue my doctorate at the University of Miami. I was fortunate to meet several members of the FIU music faculty and learn about the many programs offered at the School of Music. Prior to pursuing my graduate studies, I attended and taught at public schools. I strongly believe in the importance of training teachers and musicians to give back to their communities and promote the arts locally, as well as nationally and internationally. FIU’s mission and philosophy strongly align with that belief. When a position opened in the choral department, I knew that was where I wanted to be. I am thrilled to be joining this dynamic department and I look forward to bringing my experience and perspectives to FIU.
What would you like to accomplish at FIU?
It is my goal to develop the choral program in several capacities. First, it is my intent to encourage excellent student performance and creativity through our choral rehearsals and concerts. It is very important to me to reach out to the larger university community and encourage as many singers as possible to become a part of our choruses. I strongly believe in the power of ensemble singing and I hope to encourage students from any discipline to join us and make choral music a part of their life at FIU. Finally, I am very committed to training young musicians to be musical leaders and skillful conductors. I am looking forward to working with the other ensemble conductors at FIU to train undergraduate and graduate conductors in the art of gesture and ensemble leadership.
What do you think the FIU community should know about your department?
The choral and vocal department is open to anyone interested in singing! You do not need to be a music major to participate in choral music at FIU. We currently have five choral ensembles, two of which are open to anyone in the Miami community! Our Master Chorale meets on the Modesto A. Maidique Campus on Monday nights at 7 pm and our University Chorale meets on the Biscayne Bay Campus on Tuesday nights at 7pm. Singing is a great way to meet people and be a part of a creative community!
It looks like you have ambitious plans for this year’s choirs. What events are you most looking forward to?
I am really looking forward to the diversity of the concerts we are presenting this year¬. Our singers will perform a wide variety of music with different ensembles including the FIU Orchestra and Florida’s Singing Sons Boychoir. I am most looking forward to our two choral festivals. This fall, we will present the FIU Choral and Vocal Arts Festival. This two day event will bring together area high school choirs to perform together, and give local teachers and conductors an opportunity to participate in a conducting master class with the FIU Concert Choir. In the spring, we will join with the University of Miami and Miami-Dade Community College for the first annual South Florida Collegiate Choral Festival. Both of these events will give FIU students the chance to perform for fellow musicians and community members, and to collaborate with choral musicians from throughout Miami-Dade.
To read more about Dr. Kathryn K. Longo, click here.
To find out more about our ensembles, click here.
