Donald Jenkins
Conductor
Conductor Donald P. Jenkins is Professor Emeritus of Music at Colorado College. He received a B. A. degree from Oberlin College and a B.M.E. degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and an M.A. degree in Choral Conducting from the Juilliard School of Music. The following September he was engaged by Colorado College to direct its College Choir, Chamber Chorus, and Chapel Choir; direct the Opera Workshop; teach singing; and eventually to teach courses in Introduction to Music, American Music, Great Choral Works, and Conducting. During those years he led the Colorado College Choir on extensive national concert tours. He became Professor Emeritus of Music in 1999 after having taught there for 39 years.
Maestro Jenkins co-founded the Colorado Opera Festival for which he was General Director for 30 years, presenting more than 100 full operatic productions with orchestra, employing distinguished national artists performing at Colorado College and at Pikes Peak Center. He became conductor of the Colorado Springs Chorale in 1967, apposition he holds to this day. In September, 2004, Maestro Jenkins received the Pikes Peak Arts Council Lifetime Achievement Award.
As a guest conductor and stage director, Maestro Jenkins has worked for the Colorado Opera Troupe, the Classic Chorale, and Opera Theatre of the Rockies. He continues to serve as a judge for the Metropolitan Opera Auditions in seven western states.
