Ep. 48 - Fostering Connection Through Choral Music - Reginal Wright

"The middle school was a three-story building. At the bottom were all of the 'rough' kids. There was a second floor that was moderate. All the kids who had resources had their classes on the third floor. I'm teaching choir down in the bottom where there's a fight every 90 seconds. Over the course of my five years there we ended up through the choir program merging the entire school from top to bottom. It was one of the most memorable, rewarding experiences of my entire life."Reginal Wright was born in Henderson, Texas. His life as a musician began in his middle school band as a trombonist. As a 20-year educator, Reginal has earned many awards including Outstanding Teacher, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, and a nomination for the UIL Sponsor Excellence Award. Reginal also earned the 2018 Educator of the Year Award for the Mansfield School District.Reginal has performed music in Vienna and Salzburg, Austria as well as Munich, Germany and throughout the United States. As a conductor, he is a sought after clinician in both Gospel and Classical genres. He has enjoyed the opportunity to conduct Honor Choirs for many school districts throughout the United States. He also serves as a clinician in many Texas All State Choir camps and All State Choirs. Reginal is also an aspiring composer, writing music that caters to school and church choirs.Reginal received both his Bachelor and Masters of Music Education Degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. He is currently the head choral director at Mansfield High School. His choirs are consistent sweepstakes winners in both concert and sight reading contests. Choirs under his direction also earn “Outstanding in Class” awards at National Music Festivals. In 2012 and 2022 the Mansfield High School A Cappella Women’s choir was honored as SWACDA honor choir.   In 2018, the Mansfield Varsity Men’s Choir performed at the prestigious Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio.  He is a member of Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, American Choral Directors Association and served as Vocal Chair for TMEA Region 5 from 2014-2017. He was recently appointed Artistic Director of the Arlington Master Chorale.Reginal resides in Arlington with his wife Renetta, son Gabrien, daughter Reece and Yorkie Cooper.To get in touch with Reginal, you can find him on Facebook (@reginalwrightmusic and @reginal.wright.39) and Instagram (@regwright). You can check out his website at https://www.reginalwright.com/ .Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro episode from September 16, 2022, to hear how to share your story with us. Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson from Pexels