Bringing the Past to the Present: A History of the Brazeal Dennard Chorale

ABIGAIL BUTLER is Assistant Professor of Vocal Music Education at Wayne State University in Detroit where she conducts the Wayne State University Women’s Chorale and teachers graduate and undergraduate courses in music education. Abigail completed her undergraduate studies in voice performance at Keene State College, Keene, New Hampshire. She received a Master of Music degree in voice performance from Midwestern State University in Texas and a Ph.D. in music education from the University of Arizona. Abigail’s classroom experience includes thirteen years in New Hampshire public schools where she taught general music and choral music education in grades K-12. For two seasons she served as vocal director of the Stephenville Festival, a professional summer theatre company in Newfoundland, Canada. Guest conducting appearances have included the NH All-State Honors Chorus as well as numerous city, state and regional music festivals. In addition, Abigail has served as an adjudicator for the Detroit Public Schools Choral Music Festival, the NH All-State Chorus, and the New England Music Festival Association. Abigail is actively involved in music education research. Her articles have appeared in the Journal of Research in Music Education, The Choral Journal, Contributions to Music Education and General Music Today. She has presented at state, national, and international conferences including those sponsored by the ACDA and MENC. Current projects reflect her commitment to music teacher education, cognitive processing, and renaissance music for children.