Alex Belohlavek is Welcomed as Northwest's New Director of Choral Activities
Senatobia, MS (08/15/2023) — Northwest Mississippi Community College welcomes its new Director of Choral Activities, Alex Belohlavek of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Belohlavek has been working on his Doctorate of Music at the University of Southern California (USC). His dissertation focuses on a piece by Estonian composer Tonu Korvits from his magical impressionist collection "Moorland Elegies." Belohlavek said he hopes to expose more of the U.S. to Estonian works such as Korvits.
He received his master's degree in choral conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi, and his bachelor's degree in music education from Susquehanna University. He has worked with a variety of choirs including community, church, and other choirs around the country for several years.
Belohlavek said it's been his dream to be in a director of Choral Activities role, and upon receiving the offer, he was "incredibly excited."
Having attended USM, he was also excited to reunite with friends and his mentor, who lives in the state.
"I was coming back to a state I loved," Belohlavek said.
Belohlavek is most excited to start rehearsing with the students, noting that is his favorite part of the process. He said, of course, performances are important, but he loves the day in and day out of practicing and perfecting the art.
This upcoming year, under Belohlavek's leadership, there will be three choral groups--a large non-auditioned group, the Northwest Voices; a large, auditioned group, the Ranger Chorale; and a small chamber group, the Ranger Consort.
Outside of work, Belohlavek enjoys a good cup of coffee and spending time outdoors. He's particularly fond of the mountains and has completed hikes all over the U.S. and abroad in places ranging from California to Italy.