Publicity Bios - CAS - Department of Music

Future Students

Undergraduate Students

Graduate Students

Parents & Family

Alumni

Faculty & Staff

Researchers

Patients

Colleges & Schools

Dr. Steven Roberts is associate professor of jazz studies and trumpet at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Previously, he was assistant professor of trumpet and jazz at Mars Hill College after holding a similar position at Iowa State University. He is an active teacher and freelance musician and has performed with Marcus Roberts, Kirk Whalum, Martha and the Vandellas, Vincent DiMartino, Ryan Anthony, Jon Faddis, Allen Vizzutti, Cecil and Deedee Bridgewater, Chip McNeill, Jim Pugh, Charo and many others.

Henry Panion, III, PhD, holds degrees in music education and music theory from Alabama A & M University and the Ohio State University, respectively. He is most known for his work as conductor and arranger for superstar Stevie Wonder, for whose performances and recordings he has led many of the world’s most notable orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic, the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra, the Birmingham (England) Symphony, the Orchestra of Paris, the Melbourne (Australia) Symphony, the Rio de Janeiro Philharmonic, the Ra’anana Philharmonic, the Nice Symphony, the Gothenburg Symphony, and the Boston Pops Orchestra. The two-CD set Natural Wonder features Dr. Panion conducting his arrangements of many of Stevie Wonder’s award-winning, chart-topping songs with Stevie and the Tokyo Philharmonic.

Cara Morantz joined the faculty at the University of Alabama at Birmingham as Assistant Director of Bands in the fall of 2014. She is a part of the instructional team for the Marching Blazers, the Wind Symphony and Symphony Band, and the Blazer Bands. In addition, she provides instruction in music classes including courses in music education.

Brian Kittredge joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham faculty in 2010 as Director of Choral Activities, where he conducts the University Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, University Chorus, and teaches courses in conducting and music education. The UAB choirs under his direction have been selected as the recording choir for the MorningStar Publication series, featuring premiere performances of K. Lee Scott’s "Gloria" and Michael Trotta’s "I Shall See." Most recently, the UAB Concert Choir was invited to perform in the Championship Competition at the Interkultur World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia in July 2014, and was the featured ensemble in the world premiere performance of Glenn McClure’s "Songs of Freedom," a project commemorating the anniversaries of the Civil Rights Movement and the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The Concert Choir was also invited to perform at the 2012 Alabama Music Educators Conference in Montgomery, AL.

Page 1 of 2

Explore UAB

Colleges & Schools

Department of Music

Steven Roberts Publicity Bio

Henry Panion III, PhD Publicity Bio

Cara Morantz Publicity Bio

Brian Kittredge Publicity Bio