Bryan E. Nichols is a teacher and conductor at The Pennsylvania State University, where he leads the University Choir, teaches courses in music and education, and directs the Pitch Exploration Lab. Dr. Nichols is a life member of the American Choral Directors Association and has served in leadership positions in NAfME and ACDA. He served on the Future Directions Committee for the Kentucky Music Educators Association was the Region 4 Choral Chair. He served ACDA as the Ohio middle-level R&R chair; he was the high school R&S Chair for the state of Kentucky, where his choirs performed for the Kentucky Music Educators Association and toured all regions of the country. Ensembles under his direction have commissioned five works and have given joint performances with ensembles from the Indianapolis Children’s Chorus and the Minnesota Boychoir.
Dr. Nichols has published research in the Journal of Music Teacher Education, Musicae Scientiae, Journal of Research in Music Education, Psychology of Music, UPDATE, Contributions to Music Education, General Music Today, Psychomusicology, and the Choral Journal. He serves on the Advisory Board for the Music Educators Journal and the editorial boards of UPDATE, International Journal of Research in Choral Singing, and Contributions to Music Education. His scholarly interests are singing accuracy and music teacher pedagogy. Dr. Nichols earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Kentucky, the Master of Music Education from Florida State University, and a PhD from the University of Washington.
-
Education
- BS from University of Kentucky
- MME from Florida State University
- PhD from University of Washington
-
Courses Taught
- Choirs, Music Education
-
Built Works
Pitch Exploration Lab in the media:
- Why some of the best-known tunes, like ‘Happy Birthday,’ are the hardest to sing (The Conversation)
- How to Sing In Tune (New York Times Magazine)
- Coronavirus Outbreak Leads Penn State’s Pitch Exploration Lab To Alter Its Tune (PJATPSU)
- Pitch Exploration Lab helps meet students’ needs for music research, creativity (Penn State News)
- Excelling as a musician takes practice and requires opportunities – not just lucky genes (The Conversation)
In the News
- Chamber Orchestra and University Choir performing Fauré ‘Requiem’ on Nov. 14
- Nichols selected for academic exchange program in Israel
- School of Music serves as example for COVID-safe, in-person events
- Music Education alum compiles book with fellow School of Music contributors
- Nichols’ article addresses equity in music education during pandemic