MINISTER OF MUSIC
Todd earned his B.A. in music education at Trenton State College in New Jersey. A percussionist, composer, arranger, conductor, teacher, and vocalist, he is comfortable in many styles including early music, classical, jazz, and rock. Noted teachers include Tony DeNicola (Harry James Orchestra), Hy Frank (Vaudeville), Cloyd Duff (Cleveland Symphony), Lloyd Pfautsch (Southern Methodist University), and Alice Parker (Robert Shaw Chorale).
Currently, Todd teaches third through eighth grade music at Stuart Hall for Boys in San Francisco, where he has also been the choirmaster since 1997. In 2005 he became the first music director of San Francisco Renaissance Voices, a professional ensemble dedicated to the singing of a cappella works of the Renaissance, particularly those seldom performed. Concurrently, since 2007, Todd directs the music program at St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Berkeley.
As composer-in-residence for the vocal program at San Francisco School of the Arts, Todd was commissioned in 2004 to write two pieces: To Be Read at a Funeral and The Oath. He has served on the directing staff of the San Francisco Boys Chorus, and has accompanied its various groups on timpani and percussion at concerts and on recordings. In addition, Mr. Jolly has been the tenor section leader of the San Francisco Choral Society, is a published composer, and a freelance percussionist.
Todd is also an ordained Presbyterian minister, having received his M. Div. from San Francisco Theological Seminary. A member in good standing of the Presbytery of San Francisco, he is a parish associate at Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church, where he has served as Director of Liturgical Music, and a Presbytery Associate serving on the Project Team. He is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and of Early Music America.
Contact: Rev. Todd Jolly at todd@stjohnsberkeley.org.