There have been many fine choral conductors in Tucson over the years but none finer, in my view, than Jeffry Jahn. For 25 years Jahn has led ARS to great heights. As a music director, he has found exemplary choral works from every musical period, style, cultural and geographic locale and inspired his group to find the true heart of each piece.
During my 22 years as a music critic for the Tucson Citizen, I never left a concert shy of captivated by Jeffry’s music making. Recently I had the pleasure of collaborating with him as a multimedia artist and felt the same sense of joy in watching him work his magic with the Arizona Repertory Singers.
Jahn has taken on works both adventurous and mainstream, always rendering each with chiseled precision and dynamic verve. He has been a community leader and a community partner throughout his time in Tucson. And through the travels of his group, Jahn has brought great honor and recognition to the reputation of Tucson as a city of exceptional arts.
– Daniel Buckley, Documentary Maker/Composer/Consultant
Since 1990, Jeffry Jahn has guided the Arizona Repertory Singers
to become the premier vocal ensemble of its type in the Southwest — known not just for its quality programming, but also for having one of the largest choral repertoires in the United States.
Dr. Jahn holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University
of Arizona, a Masters of Music from Wichita State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Bethany College. His diverse career includes featured soloist for His Majesty King Carl Gustav of Sweden, ensemble singer, choral teacher, operatic leading role, musical director and conductor of opera, Conductor of the annual Tucson community Messiah Sing-In and Artistic Director of Music for the Soul, a concert tradition celebrating the sacred music and traditions of Tucson’s faith communities. In December of 2000, he made his Tucson Symphony Orchestra conducting debut in performances of Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio.”
Jahn has also served as choral clinician for high school choirs at the Arizona Music Educators Association (AMEA) Southeast and South Central Region Festival of Music. He was recently selected as one of the 2014 Tucson Musicians Museum inductees for “proven dedication to music, support and participation in community service…that has exceeded…the expectations for the award.”
Dr. Jahn maintains a private voice studio and is Director of Worship Arts at Fountain of Life Lutheran Church, where he is responsible for all aspects of worship including music, drama, visual/electronic media and art.
Jeffry Jahn is an inspiration to his singers and audiences, a consummate vocal teacher and choral director, an accomplished tenor soloist, music arranger, composer, and chef.