H. Morris Stevens, Jr., Ph.D.

Prior to being named Director of Music Ministry, Dr. Morris Stevens served as Assistant Director of Music Ministry at St. Theresa for 29 years. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and his Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Texas at San Antonio.  He completed the Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001.

Morris recently retired as Asst. Professor and Director of the Division of Music at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas where he served for 13 years.  Prior, he was head choral director at Westwood High School in Round Rock, Texas for 20 years where he helped develop the Fine Arts Academy.  He previously, taught for ten years at McCallum High School in Austin, and four years at John Jay High School in San Antonio.  From 1993-96 he conducted the University of Texas Longhorn Singers. 
 
Morris still very much enjoys the collaborative writing process with his good friend Stan McGill.  They have published six books which have become the leading texts for teaching musical literacy to singers.

Morris often serves as an adjudicator and clinician for choral contests and festivals across the country.  Under his leadership, a New Music Commissioning Project at McCallum, Westwood and St. Edward’s has resulted in the commissioning and world premiere performances of 27 choral works. 

Morris and his wife Polly have been members of St. Theresa Church for 29 years. They are the proud parents of Sarah, Patrick and Rebekah and are very happy as grandparents of Ruaridh, Genevieve, Bernadette and Margot.