Bio

Son of a teacher and a musician-turned-investment banker, it is no surprise that Seth Tanner would turn to a life of music education. He was the “poster child” for his high school’s fine arts department, performing in the wind band and percussion ensemble, show choir and varsity choir, and in the theater – both backstage and on. Although initially undeclared his first year of college at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO), Seth eventually decided to pursue his Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies, with emphases in global studies and anthropology, entrepreneurship, and music composition and production. A month before he was set to graduate, he added on another degree, a Bachelor of Arts in music.

Once officially in the music program, he studied voice under Dr. Timothy Schmidt and sang in SEMO’s University Choir, Choral Union, and Chamber choir under the direction of Dr. Barbara Lamont. He also had the distinction of performing in SEMO’s opera workshop under the direction of Schmidt, as well as Drs. Christopher Goeke and Leslie Jones. While in undergrad, Seth was awarded SEMO’s Governor’s Scholarship, a full-ride academic scholarship, four years in a row, was named to the Dean’s List every semester, and graduated Summa Cum Laude for both of his degrees.

Seth’s past performance credits include:

·         Mal Beineke in The Addams Family

·         George Banks in Mary Poppins

·         A SeaBee in South Pacific

·         Figaro in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro

·         Freddy Falcone in Josh Shaw’s The Bat’s Revenge (an English-language adaptation of Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus)

He has also performed in choirs singing:

·         Francis Poulenc’s Gloria

·         Daniel Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata

·         Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs

·         Handel’s Messiah

·         Gabriel Faure’s Requiem

Seth is now receiving his Master of Music in vocal performance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), studying under Dr. David Dillard, and singing in SIUC’s Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. Susan Davenport. He is currently also considering adding another Master of Music degree, this time in Theory/Composition. However, he still makes the drive every Monday to sing in SEMO’s Choral Union, which will be performing John Rutter’s Magnificat on November 28, 2023. He will also be seen in SIUC’s production of Gian Carlo Menotti’s opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors, on December 5.

Seth is an avid lover of music theory; it is his dream to teach collegiate music theory at the undergraduate level and looks forward to implementing new and emerging technologies and materials in the music theory classroom. In his “free time”, Seth enjoys playing tabletop and board games such as Dungeons and Dragons, Betrayal at House on the Hill, and Coup, as well as printing toys, tools, and décor on his 3D printer.

Seth lives in Carbondale, IL, with his partner Luke, their sourdough starters Felix and Blair, and their roommate Sophie.