Jon Humphrey UMASS-Amherst Music Department Voice 1969-2002

John C. Humphrey served as a distinguished member of the UMASS-Amherst Music Department where Professor Humphrey taught vocal studies from 1969-2002.

Jon Humphrey received his B.M. degree from the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music and his M.M. from the University of Illinois.

Because of a magnificent singing voice, Jon Humphrey has attained fame as a tenor soloist.

Making his debut with the Cleveland Orchestra in 1959, John Humphrey established himself as one of the leading oratorio tenors in the United States, appearing with many major symphony orchestras and choral societies including the Philadelphia, Toronto, Atlanta, Detroit, Boston, New York Philharmonic, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Dallas and San Francisco orchestras, and the Handel and Hayden Society of Boston.

As a performer, Jon Humphrey’s repertory spans nine centuries with an extensive list of performances of the major choral works. The late Robert Shaw chose Jon Humphrey far more than any other tenor to sing and record with his Robert Shaw Chorale and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

The Author of this essay was an instrumental performance major as well as an instrumental music education major at UMASS-Amherst between 1967 and 1972.

And, between 1967 and 1972, no vocal oriented curriculum or participation in the UMASS Choir were requirements for a BA degree in either instrumental performance or instrumental music education majors at UMASS-Amherst.

Other than socially, or supporting a vocal musical faculty member in a faculty recital as member of the UMASS Orchestra, the Author of this essay had very little contact with with Music Faculty members or student music majors that were associated with ‘vocal’ related curriculum.

The Author of this essay remembers both the appearance and name of Jon Humphrey quite well even though the Author had virtually no contact directly with Professor Humphrey between 1969-1972.

The Author did perform on at least one occasion in a UMASS Orchestra performance that included Jon Humphrey as a Tenor soloist.

And, the Author heard Jon Humphrey sing with great skill on multiple occasions while Professor Humphrey was performing Faculty Recitals.

The Author remembers Professor Humphrey always having an exceedingly well groomed, almost theatrical appearance at all times even when Professor Humphrey was not performing.
Professor was tall, slim, and really looked the part of the ‘Made in Hollywood’ virtuoso operatic tenor.

Professor Humphrey’s vocal skills were quite remarkable and very uplifting to listen to.

The Music Department at UMASS was very fortunate to attract and maintain the services of such an outstanding Tenor as Jon C. Humphrey from 1969-2002.

Professor Humphrey was an indeed a remarkably talented classically schooled Tenor vocalist.

For additional info on Jon Humphrey, see…http://www.ahsalumnifoundation.org/jon-c-humphrey.html

The following is an excellent performance of Jon Humphrey singing Every Valley Shall Be Exalted, From Handel’s “Messiah,” with Robert Shaw conducting the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra 1987.