A nationally recognized, fully accredited school within the University's College of Arts and Sciences, will welcome Dr. Joseph Modica in a new role as director of the school beginning July 1, 2020. Modica, who is currently serving in the interim leadership role, joined the faculty in 2011.
He started his musical journey as a student at Redlands High School, performing in the band and the choir. His career, spanning more than two decades, includes positions at the University of South Carolina, Chapman University, Biola University, Mater Dei High School and Redlands East Valley High School where he taught high school choir.
Modica is also artistic director of the Inland Master Chorale, director of music for the First Presbyterian Church of Redlands, and frequent guest performer and conductor globally. He recently completed a national tour with Il Volo, conducting concerts in 15 cities across the United States in venues such as Radio City Music Hall. Choirs under Modica's direction have toured the world and he has prepared choruses for Pete Townshend’s classic Quadrophenia, for Josh Groban, Sarah Brightman, and prepared choruses across the country for the national tour of “Star Wars – In Concert.”
"Joe is a person who I am confident will lead the School of Music, where students learn music through a conservatory approach in a liberal arts setting, into an even brighter future than it currently enjoys," said Kendrick Brown, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Modica earned a bachelor's degree in conducting from Chapman University; a master's degree in music, choral conducting, from California State University, Long Beach; and Doctor of Musical Arts in choral music from the University of Southern California. For his teaching and service at Redlands, he was honored with the Outstanding Service Award in 2017.