Dr. Reed Criddle (2011 - 2017)

 

Dr. Reed Criddle

Current Position (Most Recent):

Professor of Music / Director of Choral Activities, Utah Valley University (Orem, Utah). (Note: Dr. Criddle retired from UVU in May 2023 after a 22-year tenure).

Origin and Early Life:

Reed Criddle is a native of Utah, hailing from the small agricultural community of Garland in Box Elder County. His early musical foundation was built in the public schools of northern Utah.

Education:

Dr. Criddle's academic path is marked by a deep and continuous focus on choral music, conducting, and music education.

• Bachelor of Music Education: Utah State University (Logan, Utah). His foundational studies were completed here.

• Master of Music in Choral Conducting: Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah). He studied under the renowned choral conductor Dr. Ronald Staheli.

• Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Choral Conducting: The University of Arizona (Tucson, Arizona). His doctoral studies provided advanced training in conducting, literature, and pedagogy.

University Teaching Career:

Dr. Criddle has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in higher education, holding positions at several institutions before his lengthy and impactful tenure at UVU.

• Previous Appointments:

  • California State University, Stanislaus (Turlock, California): Director of Choral Activities.

  • University of Texas at Tyler (Tyler, Texas): Director of Choral Activities.

  • The University of Arizona (Tucson, Arizona): He served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant during his doctoral studies.

• Utah Valley University (2001 - 2023): This was the capstone of his teaching career. His roles and responsibilities were extensive:

  • Professor of Music: Taught courses across the music curriculum.

  • Director of Choral Activities: Oversaw the entire choral program.

  • Conductor of the UVU Chamber Choir: This premier, auditioned ensemble under his direction gained a reputation for excellence, performing significant works from the Renaissance to the 21st century and touring extensively.

  • Subjects Taught: Advanced Choral Conducting, Choral Literature, Music Education methods, and vocal techniques, in addition to directing multiple ensembles.

Artistic Leadership: The Wasatch Chorale

Dr. Criddle served as the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Wasatch Chorale from 2011 until 2019. During his eight-year tenure, he was instrumental in elevating the artistic profile of the community choir. His leadership was characterized by:

• Ambitious Programming: He expanded the Chorale's repertoire to include major works with orchestra, such as Mozart's Requiem, Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem, and Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass, alongside sophisticated a cappella literature.

• Artistic Growth: He challenged the ensemble with complex and diverse programming, fostering significant musical growth among the singers.

• Community Engagement: Under his baton, the Wasatch Chorale solidified its role as a vital cultural institution within the Wasatch Front, providing high-quality choral music experiences for both performers and audiences.

Other Professional Projects and Involvement:

Beyond his university and community choir duties, Dr. Criddle has been active as a clinician, adjudicator, and performer, demonstrating a deep commitment to the broader music community.

• Clinician and Guest Conductor: He has been a frequent guest conductor for All-State and honor choirs across the United States, working with young singers in states including California, Texas, Arizona, Washington, and throughout Utah.

• Adjudicator: He has served as a judge for choral festivals and competitions, providing feedback and evaluation for developing programs.

• Professional Memberships: He has held memberships in professional organizations such as the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and the Utah Music Educators Association (UMEA).

• Performance: As a tenor, he has performed as a soloist in numerous oratorio works, including Handel's Messiah, Bach's St. John Passion, and Mendelssohn's Elijah. He also sang professionally with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus.

• Scholarship: His doctoral research focused on the choral music of Czech composer Petr Eben, contributing to the body of scholarly work on this composer.

Legacy and Retirement:

Dr. Reed Criddle retired from Utah Valley University in May 2023, concluding a 42-year career in music education. His legacy is defined by his meticulous approach to choral sound, his passion for teaching, and the profound impact he had on thousands of students and community singers throughout his career. His period with the Wasatch Chorale is remembered as a significant chapter of artistic ambition and achievement for the organization.

Time with Wasatch Chorale

Reed was fresh out of his PhD program.  He was very impressive

Reed was able to change rehearsal venue to UVU. The Chorale was able to have fundraiser concerts as well at UVU.

2011

27 Oct 2011, Covey Center Director: Reed Criddle

Theme: Night at the Opera

Masquerade (from Phantom of the Opera, 1986) Andrew Lloyd Webber

Baroque Opera

Dido’s Lament and Final Chorus (from Dido and Aeneas c. 1688) Henry Purcell

Classical Opera

Voyagers’Chorus (from Idomemeo, 1780) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Romantic Opera

Habanera (from Carmen, 1875) Georges Bizet

Soldiers Chorus (from Faust, 1859) Charles Gounod

Sous le dôme épais (Flower Duet from Lakmé 1882) Leo Délibes

Polovtsian Dances (from Prince Igor, 1887) Alexander Borodin

Bridal Chorus (from Lohengrin, 1850) Richard Wagner

Two Puccini Operas

Humming Chorus (from Madame Butterfly, 1904) Giacomo Puccini

Quando m’en vo (from La Boheme, 1896) Giacomo Puccini

Three Verdi Operas

Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves (from Nabucco, 1842) Giuseppe Verdi

Brindisi (from La Traviata, 1853 Verdi 

Anvil Chorus (from Il Trovatore, 1853) Verdi

English and American Operettas

Three Little Maids from School (from The Mikado, 1885) Arthur Sullivan

I am the very Model (from Pirates of Penzance, Sullivan

Make Our Garden Grow (from Candide, 1956) Leonard Bernstein

30 November and 1 December 2011 Director: Reed Criddle

Family Christmas Concert with Utah Valley Symphony

Evening Prayer and Dream Scene from Hansel and Gretel Engelbert Humperdinck

Shepherd’s Pipe Carol John Rutter

Ding Dong Merrily on High arr. David Willcocks

The Infant King arr. David Willcocks

Child in a Manger arr. John Rutter

Fantasia on Christmas Carols Ralph Vaughn Williams

2012

22 February 2012, Murray High School and Covey Center Director: Reed Criddle

With Murray High School A Cappella Choir and Cottonwood High School Combined Choir for Murray/Cottonwood Community Choir Festival

Requiem in D Minor K. 626 by Wasatch Chorale Mozart

Placido e il Mar

City Called Heaven Arr Josephine Poelinitz

Walk in Jerusalem Arr. Pau Rardin

18 May 2012, Provo Library Director: Reed Criddle

Theme: Around the World in Song

Bonse aba (Zambia) arr. Andrew Fischer

Cahpua Kali Desemba (Tanzania) arr. David Lantz III

Kas tie tadi (Latvia) arr. StevenSametz

Ergme deda (Bulgaria) Peter Lhontev, arr. Ledk

Quién fuera como el jazmin (Argentina) Carlos Guastavino

Te quiero (Argentina) Alberto Favero, arr.Liliana Congiano

Boat on Tai Lake (China) world premier arr. Reed Criddle

Black Swana (Australia) arr. Stephen Leek

Dravidian dithyramb (India) Victor Paranjoti

Planxty Plunket & Sir Festis Burke (Ireland) arr Turlough O’Carolan

O Danny Boy (Ireland) arr. O’Carolan

An Old Irish Blessing (Ireland) world premier Ryan Gee

The Currah of Kildare (Ireland) arr. Mark Sirett

Dúlamán (Ireland) arr. David Mooney

I Know I Got Another Building (US) arr. Maurice Draughn

Let Everything that Hath Breath (US) Jeffry Ames

2012–2013 Season

25 October 2012, Covey Center, With Utah Premier Brass Director: Reed Criddle

Theme: Gloria 

Prelude in D Major BWV 532, Johann Sebastian Bach

Messe de Notre Dame (Ars Nova) Guillaume de Machaut 

The Rune of Hospitality (Ars Nova) Alf Houkom 

Ave Verum Corpus (Ars Nova) Colin Mawby 

Ai Nama Mamina Latvian Carol, arr. Jansons

Abide with Me ‘tis Eventide Harrison Millard, arr. Robert Manookin

St. Paul Service: Nunc Dimittis Herbert Howells

Variations on ‘Laudate Dominum (Utah Premier Brass) Edward Gregson 

Gloria John Rutter

3 November 2012, Temple Square

Same as program at Covey Center on 25 October 2012

2013

16 February 2013, Southern Utah University and St. George Tour Director: Reed Criddle

Zion’s Walls Aaron Copeland

I Bought Me a Cat Aaron Copeland

Nunc Dimittis Herbert Howells

Ai, nama mamina (Latvian folksong) arr. Jansons

Frostiana (all songs) Randall Thompson

Abide with Me ‘tis Eventide arr. Robert Manookin

I Know I’ve Been Changed arr. Glen Jones

When the Saints Come Marching In John Rutter

25 February 2013, Covey Center

Theme: Shout and Go Round 

Zion’s Walls Aaron Copeland

I Bought Me a Cat Aaron Copeland

Whisper! (Vineyard Elementary Children’s Chorale) Greg Gilpin

St. Francis in the Americas: A Caribbean Mass McClure

Agnus Dei

Kyrie

Frostiana Randall Thompson

All songs

Let Me Fly (spiritual) Ars Nova arr. Robert DeCormier

I Know I’ve Been Changed (spiritual) arr. Glen Jones

When the Saints Come Marching In John Rutter

27 April 2013, Provo Library Director: Reed Criddle

Theme: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Cantata #12 J.S. Bach

Light of a Clear Blue Morning Dolly Parton

Blue Skies Irving Berlin, arr. Steve Zegree

Juramento Miguel Matamoros

Unicornio Silvio Rodrigues, edited, Criddle

Corazon Coraza Mario Benedetti

The Blue Bird Charles V. Stanford

I Have Loved Hours at Sea (Ars Nova) Brandon Ulrich

A Rainy Day (Ars Nova) 

Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind (Ars Nova) Seth Stewart

2013–2014 Season

24 October 2013, Covey Center Director: Reed Criddle

Theme: My Favorite Things

Wade in de Water Allen Koepke

Arden Hopkin, conductor 1999–2005

Reuben and Rachel Doc Taylor

I Am Bound for the Promised Land Robert Millett

Passin Through Robert Millett

Dyanne Riley, conductor 2005–2010

Shenandoah Mack Wilberg

Sing Me to Heaven Dan Gawthrup

Battle of Jericho Moses Hogan

Ars Nova

Entreat Me not to Leave Me Dan Forrest

Reed Criddle, conductor 2010–present

He Watching over Israel (from Elijah) Felix Mendelssohn

Blessed Are the Men Who Fear Him (from Elijah) Felix Mendelssohn

Danny Boy arr. Flummerfelt

5 December 2013, St. Francis of Assisi Church Director: Reed Criddle

Theme: Carols for Advent

Sir Christemas William Mathias

Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella arr. Howard Helvey

Wexford Carol (by Ars Nova) arr. John Rutter

Convidando esta la Noche (by Ars Nova) Juan Garcia de Zespedes

Anthem of Peace (world premier) arr. Kayla Jessop (combined choirs)

2014

26–27 February 2014, Covey Center

Elijah, with Utah Valley Symphony

Dyanne Riley returned to sing with the Chorale

3 May 2014, Provo Library (with Hobble Creek Singers and Kipper Brothers’ Puppet Works) Director: Reed Criddle

Nola Smith got her doctorate in Theater from BYU. She created the story and had unique songs for the concert that was in the afternoon for the kids.

Theme: Make Believe 

Eatemen Vuelie Frode Fjellheim

Animal Crackers, Vol 1 (The Panther, The Cow, The Firefly) Erick Whitacre

The Prayer of the Cat Ivor Davies

Four Selections from Ten Tone Twisters (Ars Nova) M. Ryan Taylor

Rhymes Kaya Jessop

Apple Pie Rich Campbell

It Was a Lover and His Lass (Hobble Creek Singers) B. Wayne Bisbee

Shojojee (Hobble Creek Singers) Arr. B. Wayne Bisbee

Music in My Mother’s House (Hobble Creek Singers) arr. J. David Moore

Wade in de Water Allen Koepke

Selections from Play with Your Food! Paul Carey

Mashed Potato/Love Poem and Vending Machine

Never, Never Land (from Peter Pan) w/Hobble Creek Singers arr. Mac Huff

13 May 2014, Orem Invitational Choral Festival, at Timpanogos High School Director: Reed Criddle

Wade in de Water arr. Allen Koepke

Mashed Potato Love Song Paul Carey

Animal Crackers (see above) Eric Whitacre

Sine Nomine (combined choirs) Ralph Vaughn Williams

2014–2015 Season

4 November 2014, Covey Center Director: Reed Criddle

Magnificat J.S. Bach

Evening Prayer Ola Gjeilo

A Christmas Lullaby Dan Forrest

What Shall We sing For the Child Howard Helvey

Hosanna in the Highest

February 2015, Covey Center Director: Reed Criddle

Theme: Deepness of the Blue

Wasatch Chorale

I Been in the Storm So Long Tim Harbold

Deep River arr. Alice Parker and Robert Shaw

Deepness of the Blue; My Loves William Averitt

A Closer Walk with Thee arr. Stan Pethel

Ars Nova

Ngana Stephen Leek

O vos omnes Pablo Casals

Lullaby Daniel Elder

Wasatch Chorale

Our Children (from Ragtime) Stephen Flaherty, arr. Jeff Funk

Your Daddy’s Son (from Ragtime) Stephen Flaherty

Wheels of a Dream (from Ragtime) Stephen Flaherty, arr. John Levitt

Mi Unicornio Azul Silvio Rodriguez, arr. Ernesto Herrera

March 2014, Orem Invitational Choral Festival, Mountain View High School Director: Reed Criddle

I Been in the Storm Tim Harbold

Deepness of the Blue: My Loves Willliam Averitt

It Don’t Mean a Thing Duke Ellington, arr. Mac Huff or Kirby Shaw?

2015

2015 Spring Concert, Provo Library Director: Reed Criddle

Theme: Swing It!

Ars Nova

I Sing, You Sing Anders Edenroth

Love Walked In George Gershwin, arr. Steve Zegree

Blue Skies Irving Berlin, arr. Roger Emerson

Wasatch Chorale

Fly Me to the Moon Bart Howard, arr. Robert Page 

O What a Beautiful City arr. Jeffrey Webb

Bring Me a Little Water, Sylvie arr. Kirby Shaw

Great Day arr. Rollo Dilworth

Vocalese Op 34 Sergio Rachmaninoff

Rhythm of Life Cy Coleman, arr. Richard Barnes

Hit Me with a Hot Note Duke Ellington, arr. Kirby Shaw

It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got that Swing Duke Ellington, arr, Kirby Shaw

2015–2016 Season

21 October 2015 and 21 November 2015 with Utah Philharmonic Orchestra at Covey Center and Riverton? 

O Clap Your Hands Director: Reed Criddle

Wayfaring Stranger

Voices of the Earth

Tenderly

Faure’s Requiem Gabriel Faure

Duel of the Fates from Star Wars John Williams

O Fortuna from Carmina Burana Carl Orff

24–25 October 2015, Timberline Middle School, Alpine Director: John Pew

Hogwarts at Halloween, with Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra

O Fortuna (from Carmina Burana) Carl Orff 

Duel of the Fates (from the The Phantom Menace) John Williams

2016

24–25 February 2016, Covey Center Director: Reed Criddle

Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony, with Utah Valley Symphony

12 May 2016, Provo Library Director: Reed Criddle

Theme: The Sprig of Thyme

As Pants the Hart Handel

Let All the World in Every Corner Sing Ryan Murphy

Cantique de Jean Racine Gabriel Faure

The Sprig of Thyme arr. John Rutter

Take Me to the Water Rollo Dilworth

2016–2017 Season

25 October 2016, Covey Center Director: Reed Criddle

Theme: Still the Strife

Part I: Gladsome tidings

Psalm 117: Laudate Jehovam Georg Philipp Telemann (manuscript) 5’

Psalm 111: Beatus Vir, RV. 598 Antonio Vivaldi (manuscript) 8’

Part 2: Yearnings

Out of the Deep (from Requiem) John Rutter

Lord I Want to be a Christian Moses Hogan

Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child Howard Helvey  

All my trials Norman Luboff

Choose Something Like a Star (from Frostiana) Randall Thompson

Part 3: Stirrings

Salvation is Created Pavel Chesnokov, arr. Lindsay Norden

In the Quiet Hours Jay Matthew Butler

Declare your Maker’s Praise! arr. Lloyd Larson

Let Peace Then Still the Strife Mack Wilberg

Until I Found the Lord André Thomas

Encore

We Shall Walk in the Valley in Peace Moses Hogan

Spring 2017

20 February 2017, Covey Center Director: Reed Criddle

Theme: The Road Home

Fight the Good Fight John Gardner

Mass No. 11 in D Minor, Kyrie Franz Joseph Haydn

Gloria In D Major (Deer Creek String Quartet) Antonio Vilaldi

An Di Musik Franz Schubert arr Craig Courtney

Come to the Music Joseph M. Martin

The Road Home Stephen Paulus

String Quartet in B Flat Major Op 78 (Deer Creek String Quartet) Franz Joseph Haydn

Into the Woods (Act 1, Opening) Stephen Sondheim

No One Is Alone Stephen Sondheim

Soon Ah Will Be Done William L. Dawson

Ain’t Got Time to Die Hall Johnson

The Impossible Dream arr. Mark Hayes