Guest Conductor

Stacey V. Gibbs

Conductor for the 2025 Festival

Stacey V. Gibbs is a prolific and highly sought-after composer, arranger, and clinician. Best known for arrangements of spirituals, he is highly acclaimed for his ability to infuse new energy into familiar works without sacrificing their authenticity or power.

Maestro Gibbs’ spirituals have been commissioned and performed by the King’s Singers of England, United States Air Force Sergeants, The St. Olaf Choir, the Stellenbosch Choir of South Africa, the University of Southern California Chamber Singers, The Princeton Glee Club, Morehouse College and the University of Michigan Glee Clubs, the Wartburg Choir, The Nairobi Chamber Singers, Cantus, Chanticleer, and many other college, university, high school, and professional ensembles both domestically and internationally. His music has been programmed at all state festivals, National Association of Music Educators (MENC) Festivals, the World Choir Games, and regional and national American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Conventions.

Gibbs currently has over 200 published arrangements available for SATB, SSAA, and TTBB voices. His music was featured at the 57th Inaugural Service for President Obama and family. His arrangement of Go, Tell It on the Mountain, performed by True Accord, peaked at #5 on Billboard Classical and #1 on Amazon Classical Music in December 2019. In December 2020, his music was performed by the Mangate Ensemble and was broadcast on NBC Television in all major markets.

Maestro Gibbs made his conducting debut at Carnegie Hall in 2017. His medley of spirituals was performed by Choir of the World Winner Oakwood Aeolians and American Idol winner Reuben Studdard.

Gibbs serves as clinician (nationally and internationally) for university, high school, professional, and church choral ensembles. A management professional with 20 years experience, Gibbs holds membership in ACDA and currently resides in Detroit, Michigan.

It is our pleasure to welcome Maestro Stacey Gibbs to Western Michigan University as guest conductor of the 85th annual Southwestern Michigan Vocal Festival to be held in Miller Auditorium on March 13, 2025.