Randy Pennington
Randy Pennington
Associate Professor
Director of Choral Activities
D.M.A., University of Arizona
M.A. and B.M.E., California State University-Long Beach
Office: FA 365
Phone: 859.572.5286
E-mail: pennington@nku.edu
Dr. Randy Pennington is the Director of Choral Studies at Northern Kentucky University. Prior to coming to NKU he held a similar position at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado. His music administrative experience includes appointments as the Special Assistant to the Chancellor at the North Carolina School of the Arts and as the Director of the Summer Institute for the Arts at California State University, Long Beach. He has taught as a visiting faculty member at the Sydney Conservatory of Music in Sydney, Australia and in Salzburg, Austria as part of the Kentucky Institute for International Studies. Choirs under his direction have performed by invitation for state and regional conventions of the American Choral Director's Association and the Music Educator's National Conference. In demand as a guest conductor he has conducted numerous regional and state honor choirs and, most recently, the Kentucky SATB 7 - 9 grade All-State Chorus. In demand as an adjudicator and clinician he adjudicates state, regional and national festivals and competitions and recently presented special clinics for the Kentucky MENC and the Kentucky ACDA.
Pennington is active in professional organizations serving as the Repertoire and Standards Chair for Kentucky ACDA in both the College/University and Jazz/Show Choir areas. He serves on the Festival Commission for the Kentucky MENC and has presented guest clinics/lectures at KMEA state in-service conferences.
Dr. Pennington has extensive conducting experience and training, studying with prominent conductors such as Frank Pooler, Maurice Skones, Brock McElheran, Robert Shaw and others. Equally fluent in the vocal jazz idiom, Pennington has worked with vocal jazz ensembles throughout his career. Groups under his direction have performed at prestigious jazz clubs and venues in Colorado and the Cincinnati area as well as nationally recognized jazz festivals. He has performed or worked with such notable jazz/pop performers such as The Carpenters, Phil Mattson, Gene Puerling, John Prince, Bobby McFerrin and others.
Dr. Pennington has continued to remain active in the church music area as well directing a number of church music programs during his career. He is currently the Director of Music Ministry for Christ Church United Church of Christ Ft. Thomas.