James Kinchen

James Kinchen

Prof/Dir/Choral Acts - Music

Music Department

EDD, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA GREENSBORO, 1984

PHONE:
(262) 595-2111
EMAIL:
kinchen@uwp.edu

“He’s the best!” “Dr. Kinchen is enthusiastic. His passion rubs off on you.” “The professor really makes you want to do your best.” “Knows his stuff!” “Encyclopedic knowledge!” “Knows his stuff!”
These are among the comments used to describe the man affectionately known to many students and former students as “Doctor K.” He is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities since 1989 and is driven by his passion for music and for people, and for bringing people together to experience excellence in the choral art. He has conducted on the stages of Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall in New York’s Lincoln Center. His choral travels have taken him to Germany, Italy, Poland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Austria, Cuba, India, and China. He has served as President of Wisconsin Choral Directors Association and the North Central Division of American Choral Directors Association and is in frequently demand as a clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator. He is a frequent presenter at choral and music conferences and conventions, presenting on interpretation of the “spiritual” and other topics of interest to choral teachers and artists. He is also a member of Chorus America, the International Federation for Choral Music, the National Association for Music Education, Center for Black Music Research, and National Collegiate Choral Organization. He is on the Executive Board of Wisconsin Music Educators Association. He has won teaching excellence, faculty service, and diversity awards. He is most recently recipient of the Morris D. Hayes Award, given to an outstanding Wisconsin choral director by Wisconsin Choral Directors Association. He directs the three university choirs: University Chorale, Voices of Parkside, and Master Singers. He also teaches courses in conducting, choral conducting, choral teaching materials and methods, music appreciation, and African American music. He is pretty active on campus, too, joining various search committees and elected faculty committees, including the University Committee and Faculty Senate, which he presently serves. James Benjamin Kinchen, Jr., is a Jacksonville native who has studied at Jacksonville University, Southern Illinois University, and the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Before coming to UW-Parkside, he has taught and conducted music in Florida, Illinois, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Areas of Expertise

  • Choral Music (Choral Education & Performance)
  • Conducting
  • African American Music
  • Music Teacher Preparation
Scroll to Top