Artistic Director
Dr. Joseph Paul Dease is a native of Dothan, AL. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Choral/Vocal Music from the University of Montevallo, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting with advanced studies in Vocal Pedagogy from the East Carolina University, and a Ph.D. in Choral Conducting/Choral Music Education from the Florida State University College of Music. Currently he is the Founding Artistic Director and Conductor of the Magic City Choral Society, Director of Arts and Music at The Southside Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL, and on the faculty of the Red Mountain Theatre Summer Youth Workshop.
Dr. Dease has a wealth of conducting experience ranging from secondary school, church, community, college, and opera choruses. That experience also includes frequent adjudicating and guest conducting in North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, and New Mexico. His style has been acknowledged by students and colleagues as passionate, enthusiastic, engaging, endearing, but above all, positive. Dr. Dease’s mentors include: Clifford K. Madsen, André Thomas, Kevin Fenton, Kimberly Van Weelden, Judy Bowers, Ronda Fleming, Brad Logan, Kathryn Foster, and Gilda Wilkerson.
Associate Conductor and Men's Chorus Accompanist
Ty
Thornton received a B.A. in Piano Pedagogy and a M.A. in Piano
Performance from from Bob Jones University, and an M.M in Historical
Musicology from the Florida State University. Mr. Thornton comes
to the Magic City Choral Society with an extensive background
as a performer, accompanist and teacher. His teaching credits include:
Bob Jones University, Hartford Christian Academy, Pensacola Christian
College, University of Alabama, Birmingham Southern, Conservatory
of Fine and Performing Arts of Birmingham Southern College, and
a healthy private studio.
Mr. Thornton has served as Music Director for many musical theatre productions for the Birmingham Festival Theatre, Dane Peterson's Theatre, and Terrific New Theatre. Some of the shows he has been music director include: The Decline and Fall of the Entire World as Seen Through the Eyes of Cole Porter (1994), A--My Name is Still Alice (1995), Love and Shrimp (1997), Das Barbecu (1998), Radio Gals (1999), Pageant (1999), Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know (1999), Ruthless (1999), Six Women with Brain Death (2000), Lies and Legends: The Musical Stories of Harry Chapin (2001); Little Mary Sunshine (2003); Southern Baptist Sissies (2004); A-My Name Will Always Be Alice (2005); Pageant (2006); Johnny Guitar (2006); The Big Bang.
In addition, Mr. Thornton has been an active church musician since 1992. He has served Methodist, Lutheran, and Presbyterian congregations.
Director of Music Education
Ms. Blethen received her B. S and M. A. degrees in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Alabama and is a student in Walden University’s Educational Doctorate program in Teacher Leadership. She received National Board Certification in Early/Middle Childhood Music/Band in 2005 from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She has taught band in elementary, middle, and high schools and is currently teaching 4th thru 8th grade band in the Birmingham City Schools System. Having taught students all ages in her 34-year career, Ms. Blethen now specializes in teaching beginning music students of all ages.
A native of Tuscaloosa, AL, Ms. Blethen has performed in numerous musical ensembles throughout the state including the Tuscaloosa Symphony, the Birmingham Heritage Jazz Band, and currently performs with the Celebration Winds Community Concert Band, the Birmingham Community Concert Band, and the UAB Community Wind Symphony.
Ms. Blethen conducts music fundamental classes throughout the year for members of the Magic City Choral Society family. She believes that if you are truly passionate about music, one is never to old nor is it ever too late to learn to read music.
Women's Chorus Accompanist
This position is currently not filled.