Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Fall 2024 43 Distinguished Members a full professor at Oakwood University, where he also conducted The Aeolians of Oakwood University. He is a published author and composer with GIA Publications, which includes his works, Teaching with Heart: Tools for Addressing Societal Challenges Through Music, and The Jason Max Ferdinand Choral Series (Walton Music). In the summer of 2017, he returned as director of The Aeolians of Oakwood University and won the coveted 2017 "Choir of the World Award" along with the event's first-ever "Most Outstanding Director Award." In 2018, his choir won three gold medals in the 10th World Choir Games held in South Africa and was the overall champion in both the University Choir and Spiritual categories. In February 2019, The Aeolians performed at the National Conference of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). The performance garnered much attention and some even commented, "They broke the ACDA." In 2023, the Jason Max Ferdinand Singers performed at the ACDA's national conference. The unique circumstances of 2021 also opened a creative opportunity to birth The Jason Max Ferdinand Singers in a virtual concert "Live from London - Spring!" From there, the ensemble began its unifying journey to breathe life into choral works of underrepresented composers and positively affect the cultural health of our world. He continues to actively compose and enjoys mentoring up-and- coming composers. His greatest passion is watching those whom he has mentored become conductors and composers in their own right. He loves to teach, and was named "Teacher of the Year" for the 2017–18 school year by Oakwood University. He maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor and lecturer at schools, universities, churches, and choral festivals and conferences, both domestic and international. He is energized when he gets the chance to make music with All State and festival choirs. A native of Trinidad & Tobago, Dr. Ferdinand received his Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance from Oakwood College (now Oakwood University), his Master of Arts in Choral Conducting from Morgan State University, and his Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Maryland. DR. SCOTT SEXTON Dr. Scott Sexton was initiated as a National Arts Associate by the Delta Zeta Chapter at Troy University in May. Dr. Sexton has been involved in the music education field for many years. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Troy University, his Master's Degree in Music from the University of Mississippi, and his Ph.D. in Music Education from Auburn University. He is certified in Kodály from the University of Oklahoma and has completed advanced study at the International Kodály Institute in Hungary. He has spent over a decade teaching music at elementary and secondary public and private schools in Mississippi. He has an interest in historical music education and global music and has traveled internationally to research music in Ghana, West Africa, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He has taught and performed across North America, Europe, and Africa. Dr. Sexton previously taught choral ensembles and music education courses at Troy University. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Professor of Music Education as well as the Director of Choral Activities at Huntingdon College. He has published a number of articles: "A music educator's potential response to Afghanistan" in the Alabama Music Educators Association Journal (2021); a "Review of the book Children's Songs from Afghanistan by Louise Pascale" (2021) and "Review of the book First Steps in Global Music by K. Howard" (2020) in Kodály Envoy. Dr. Sexton holds memberships in the American Choral Director's Association, the Organization of American Kodály Educators, the National Honor Choir Committee, the Secondary Choral/Instrumental National Committee, and the International Kodály Society. DR. MARK THIELE Dr. Mark Thiele was initiated as a National Arts Associate by the Sigma Zeta Chapter at the University of Idaho in May. Dr. Thiele joined the faculty at the Lionel Hampton School of Music at the University of Idaho in 2019. In addition to directing the Wind Ensemble, he teaches applied tuba and euphonium and undergraduate conducting. He is also active in coaching brass chamber music, leading the University of Idaho Tuba/ Euphonium Ensemble, and performing with the Idaho Brass Quintet. Dr. Thiele is an active clinician and adjudicator, presenting masterclasses and recitals throughout the Pacific Northwest. In May 2021, he was a featured soloist at the Virtual Tuba/Euphonium Conference presented by the International Tuba and Euphonium Association. He premiered two new works by University of Idaho faculty members, Ruby Fulton and Dan Bukvich. Dr. Thiele spent twenty-one years as a tuba player with "The President's Own" United States Marine Band in Washington, DC, where he performed with the concert band, chamber orchestra, brass quintet, tuba/ euphonium quartet, and numerous chamber ensembles. As a member of the band, he performed all across the country, as well as at the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic, the

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