Dr. Jon C. Peterson
"Dr. P"
AOSFYC Director since 2014
​
Director of Choral Activities
Associate Professor of Music
Malone University

Jon C. Peterson, D.M.A. (affectionately known as "Dr. P") was named director of the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir, a 200-voice mixed choir of high school students selected competitively from across the state of Ohio, in the spring of 2014.  Peterson also serves as assistant professor of music and director of choral activities at Malone University, were he conducts the University Chorale, Chamber Choir, and the new Men's Glee Club.  At Malone he teaches courses in choral music (including literature, methods and conducting) as well as coursework in music ministry.

Peterson received doctoral and masters degrees in choral conducting with a doctoral minor in historical musicology from The University of Arizona and Southern Methodist University, respectively. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Austin College with an undergraduate degree in vocal performance.

Prior to joining the OEC/OSF team, Peterson served on the music faculty at Bluffton University and as artistic director of The Magpie Consort, a Columbus-based chamber chorus of 20 voices. In addition to his passion for working with high school and university students, his experience in music ministry has taken him to congregations of varying sizes and denominations in Texas, Arizona, Arkansas, and Ohio. Peterson has prepared choirs for the Tuscarawas Philharmonic, the Canton Symphony Orchestra, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Philander Smith College, the University of Arizona, and Southern Methodist University and has sung with such respected choral organizations as the Dallas Symphony Chorus and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus. He is in demand as a guest conductor and clinician across the state.

His recent research has focused on world music, hymnology and Baroque oratorio; he has also contributed choral repertoire analyses to GIA Publications’ Teaching Music Through Performance in Middle School Choir, released in 2011.

When not making music, Dr. Peterson enjoys cycling, cooking and spending time with his wife and two sons.

It is the highlight of my year to spend 17 days with phenomenal youth from across our fine state.  In addition to the inspiring music-making, the AOSFYC focuses on developing leaders, serving our fine state and molding life-long relationships...plus we know how to kick back and have some fun at the best State Fair in the nation.  I hope that you will join the AOSFYC family!