Leadership

Stephen Holcomb has recently retired following over three decades of service as professor of music and director of choral activities at DBU. He holds a D.M.A. in Conducting from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also holds a M.M. in Music History and a B.M.E. from Baylor University in Waco. Recently, Dr. Holcomb was awarded the Honorary Alumnus Award from DBU, and in 2001 was recognized by the faculty as the DBU Outstanding Professor of the Year for excellence in teaching. Dr. Holcomb is a member of the American Choral Director’s Association, Texas Choral Director’s Association, Music Educators National Conference, and the Texas Music Educator’s Association. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity, Gamma Iota Chapter.

As director of choral activities, Dr. Holcomb conducted the DBU Concert Chorale and the DBU Grand Chorus. Under his direction, the ensembles enjoyed a national reputation for excellence. Ensembles under his direction have presented concerts in London's St. Paul's Cathedral and Edinburgh's St. Giles Cathedral, as well as other notable venues such as Notre Dame and Chartres Cathedrals in France, St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, the Dom Cathedral in Salzburg, and St. Stefansdom in Vienna. Stateside, the choirs have been privileged to present concerts at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., the Christmas Open House at the White House, Carnegie Hall in New York, and such prestigious venues as Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and Southwestern Division ACDA Conventions. Dr. Holcomb also gives direction and leadership to the overall Ensemble Division of the Department of Music.

In addition to his work as choral director, Dr. Holcomb produced and directed most of the University's Musical Theater and Opera Theater performances. DBU has an outstanding reputation for professional level productions which have included The Music Man, The Sound of Music, Carousel, OKLAHOMA!, My Fair Lady, Hello Dolly, Fiddler on the Roof, Phantom, Camelot, The Fantasticks, Beauty and the Beast, Little Women, Dido and Aeneas, Gianni Schicchi, Amahl, and the Night Visitors, Falstaff, H.M.S. Pinafore, the Mikado, Hansel and Gretel, and The Old Maid and the Thief.

Dr. Holcomb also serves the Dallas-Ft. Worth community as a clinician and guest conductor. He regularly conducts performances with the Rockwall Philharmonic for MusicFest. Among his professional credits are performances of Little Women with the San Jacinto Project and Don Giovanni with the Living Opera. He is also very active with the Texas Baptist All-State Choir and the Louisiana Baptist All-State Choir.