Instrument/Department: Vocal/Choral ensembles
Joined Hochstein faculty in: 2020
A Rochester native, Jonathan Thomas Madden participated in Hochstein’s string program all the way through high school as a cellist, participating in private lessons, chamber groups, and each of Hochstein’s orchestras. He also served as the Conductor Apprentice to the Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra for two years, making his international conducting debut on their 2016 tour of Austria and Germany.
Jon is now on the faculty of the Hochstein School as Assistant Director and Composer-in-Residence for the Hochstein Youth Singers. In that role, he writes new music for the ensembles that seeks to engage the students in the creative process.
Since 2020, he has also served as Director of Music at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (Pittsford). Previously, Jon taught vocal music and choir at McQuaid Jesuit High School and served as Assistant Director for the choirs at Nazareth University. He sings with many local ensembles, including the Eastman/Christ Church Schola Cantorum and First Inversion, both of which he also holds assistant director positions with.
An award-winning composer, Jon has had his music recognized at both national and state levels. Jon’s compositions have been finalists in the 2022 ACDA Pearl Prize Competition (Shall We Gather at the River) and the 2023 American Prize (Music, when soft voices die). His writing for SSA ensembles has been recognized by the 2023 ACDA Focus Prize (honorable mention, The Gift to Sing) and the 2019 ACDA Brock Student Composition Competition (2nd place, The Lord is my Light).
Jon received his Bachelor of Music degree in Composition from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. In his time at St. Olaf, he sang with and was an ensemble pianist for the internationally renowned St. Olaf Choir and St. Olaf Chapel Choir.
Currently, he is pursuing graduate studies in Choral Conducting at the Eastman School of Music.
More About Jon Madden
Hometown: Fairport, NY
What inspires me: If I’m ever in a creative rut, I find that stillness and silence can be the most refreshing medicine to bring about renewed inspiration.
Why the arts matter: Numerous positive life skills like communication, confidence, problem solving, and collaboration are fostered through participation in the arts. Artists of all ages and abilities enjoy these by-products of creative expression and often inspire those around them to create a more beautiful world, too!
Favorite things to do in Rochester area: Summer baseball games at Frontier Field and walking or biking along the Erie Canal.
My favorite local restaurant: McArdle’s in Fairport.
Favorite place to travel: Anywhere along the shore of Lake Superior - especially between Duluth and Grand Marais, Minnesota!