Richard Bjella, professor of music and director of choral studies, received the 2007 Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Since joining the faculty in 1984, Bjella has conducted in concert halls around the world, including Paris, Prague, London, and Lucerne. He also has guest-conducted more than 350 festivals and workshops in 25 states.
In presenting the award, Lawrence President Jill Beck cited Bjella's "skill, dedication, and sense of joy."
"As a teacher, you are described as passionate, inspiring, energetic, spirited, and knowledgeable," said Beck. "The work you demand from your students is accepted with the grace of those who know the final result will be worth every bit of expended energy. Those who have watched you work with choir groups have described your effect as magical."
Bjella's ensembles have been featured on Wisconsin Public Radio and in the Green Bay Packers video "Legend of Lambeau Field." His concert choir was the first to record "Songs of Children" by Robert Convery, a cantata of nine poems written by children interned at Terezin, a Nazi concentration camp.
In 2006, Bjella received the Hanns Kretzschmar Award for Excellence in the Arts for his 20 years of service as artistic director of the community-based White Heron Chorale.
A member of the Washington High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Bjella earned a bachelor's degree from Cornell College and a master's degree from the University of Iowa.
Visit the web pages of the Concert Choir and Lawrence Chorale.
