P
aul Olson is director of choirs, and also teaches piano and guitar at West Junior HIgh in Boise, Idaho. He has taught there for 30 years.
Before coming to Boise, he received his Masters Degree in Music Education at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
Before that, he was Minister of Music at Bethany Evangelical Free Church in Littleton, Colorado.
Paul recieved his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois.
He grew up on a dairy and grain farm in North Dakota and is proud of his Scandinavian heritage. Paul and his wife enjoy visiting their two grown children and spouses. Their first grandchild is on the way Thanksgiving 2011.
Michael Murphy is the Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Conducting at the University of Idahos School of Music, where he conducts the Vandaleers Concert Choir, University Chorus and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in conducting and choral methods. He also serves as the Artistic and Music Director for the Palouse Choral Society and Palouse Festival Orchestra.
Dr. Murphy, a native of Wilmington, North Carolina, received his degrees in Conducting and Choral Music Education from Florida State University and East Carolina University. His dissertation, Performance Practice of Johann Sebastian Bachs Passio secundum Johannem A Study of Twenty-Five years of Recorded History as Influenced by the Historically Informed Performance Movement was awarded a grant for dissertation research. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Idaho Bach Festival.
In 2007, Dr. Murphy made his international conducting debut in the Peoples Republic of China. He conducted choirs in concert venues such as the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing, China, the Yanshan University in Qinghuandao and Tianjin University in Tianjin. The same year, he conducted Florida State University Singers at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Convention in Miami, Florida for the Exhibitors Concert. Since Murphys arrival to the University of Idaho, the Vandaleers Concert Choir has undertaken annual tours in the Northwest and, in 2010, a two-week tour of Austria, Germany and Czech Republic. Notable European performances included St. Stephens Cathedral in Vienna, Austria, St. Vituss Cathedral in Prague, Czech Republic and the Frauenkirche in Dresden, Germany.
Prior to his move to the University of Idaho, Professor Murphy taught many levels from elementary to university students. His choirs consistently were recognized with distinction earning all superior ratings at choral festivals. As an active member, Dr. Murphy has held several state leadership positions in the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and the Music Educators National Conference (MENC). Presently he is President-Elect for the Idaho state chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. Dr. Murphy serves as an active adjudicator and clinician for workshops, festivals, honor choirs and clinics.
Quinn Van Paepeghem is currently director of choirs at Mountain View High School in the Meridian
S
chool District outside of Boise, Idaho.
At Mountain View Quinn directs six choral ensembles, teaches Music Theory and Advanced Guitar. He also serves as the Performing Arts Department Chair. Quinn has been at Mountain View since its opening in the fall of 2003.
Prior to MVHS, Quinn directed the choirs at Bend Senior High School in Bend, Oregon for 19 years. He has served as Oregon ACDA R&S chair for Vocal Jazz, and has served as the screening chair for the MENC All-Northwest Women’s Honor Choir.
Quinn’s choirs, both Concert and Vocal Jazz have made four appearances at State MENC conferences in Oregon and Idaho.
He received his graduate degree in Music Education from the University of Oregon, and his undergraduate degree from Boise State University.
Quinn is an avid jazz guitarist, often accompanying his wife, Shirley, who is a vocalist and music educator as well. They have two children, Jake, now 22 and “on the road” with a band, and Mallory, now 19, studying to be a Massage Therapist.
Seth
McMullen has been teaching at Eagle High School
in Eagle, Idaho since 2003, where he directs five choral ensembles and
serves as chair for the Department of Arts & Music. He also
serves as the choir director at First Congregational United Church of
Christ in Boise, and sings tenor in Male Ensemble Northwest.
Under his direction
the choral program at Eagle has received awards and commendations for
excellence at local and regional choral festivals, including invitations
to perform at the Idaho Music Educator Association's 2004 state conference,
and the 2008 ACDA NW Conference.
Seth received a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting from Northern Arizona
University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Whitworth
College.
Prior to coming to Eagle, Mr. McMullen taught band, choir and drama at Deer Park High School in Deer Park, Washington.
In their spare time, Seth and his wife Hallie train and show their pack of German Shepherd Dogs.
His term of office runs from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2009.