Dr Jason Runnels

Music History

 

Born and raised in Texas, Dr. Jason Runnels has spent his life working in the field of music both academic and religious settings. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. He later completed the Master of Music and Doctor of Philosophy at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS). He is currently pursuing the Master of Science in Library Science at the University of North Texas. Dr. Runnels has taught at SWBTS as adjunct faculty in the Music History department since 2009. He has taught both undergraduate and graduate level courses in music history focusing on general surveys of history. He has additionally taught in depth historical period courses, a Survey of Opera, and music research. 

In addition to his teaching experience he has been Assistant Music Librarian of Bowld Music Library since 2005. He has been active within the Music Library Association as well as the Association of Christian Librarians. He has published book reviews for The Christian Librarian and The Hymn, of which he has been the journal indexer since 2012.

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Dr. Runnels also has experience within the local church setting as a music director and choirmaster. He has served as music director and supply director in a number of Southern Baptist churches in Texas. He has spent the past 17 years serving at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Fort Worth, Texas. His work there has included performing as soloist as well as serving as Choirmaster since 2011. Under his direction the choir has performed hundreds of works of the classical tradition ranging from English Renaissance composers such as Byrd and Tallis to 20th century masters such as Britten, Vaughan Williams, Poulenc, and Messiaen. Dr. Runnels and the St. Andrew’s Choir have also recorded a number of premier compositions by young composers such as Michelle Blumsack, Joseph Gentry Stephens, and Christopher Wilson. In addition, Dr. Runnels took this choir on a successful tour to England where they served as choir-in-residence at Salisbury Cathedral for a week during the summer of 2012.

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