Doyle Dumas

Doyle A. Dumas started his career in music education as the choir director at Tilghman High School and Franklin Junior High School in Paducah, KY from 1952 until 1954. In 1954, he founded the 84th Army Band Chorus and was that group’s conductor through 1956. During the 1956-1957 school year, he returned to Tilghman High School. His tenure at Southeast Missouri State University began in 1957 in which he served as the Choral Director and a music professor until 1975. He then became the Department of Music’s Chairman while still conducting the University’s top choir. He held the Music Department Chairmanship until 1988, when he retired from the University.

Since his retirement, he has performed with the St. Louis Chamber Chorus, the Western Carolina Community Chorus, and the Johnson City Chorale. He currently sings with two choirs at the Central Baptist Church in Johnson City, TN, one being the J.O.Y. (Just Old Youth) Choir for which he is the tenor section leader and soloist. His is also the bass section leader and soloist for the Chancel Choir.

Dr. Dumas on the All Army Entertainment and Talent Contest in 1956, the Luther T. Spayde Award-Choral Director of the Year from the Missouri American Choral Directors Association in 1976, and was the Missouri Music Educators Hall of Fame Recipient in 2008.