Robert Ham

  • Music Department Chair
  • Associate Professor of Music
  • Office: Everest-Rohrer Chapel/Fine Arts Center, Room 128
  • Phone Number: 574.257.3391
  • Send an Email
Education:
M.M.E., Music Education, Northern Michigan University
B.M.E., Music Education, Northern Michigan University

Robert N. Ham is associate professor of music and chair of the Music Department at Bethel College. He holds B.M.E. and M.M.E. degrees from Northern Michigan University. Prior to coming to Bethel in 1989 he taught at Brookwood High School in Ontario, Wisconsin and Barclay College in Haviland, Kansas. Twice he was honored as Professor of the Year at Barclay College. In 2008, Bob was honored as Professor of the Year at Bethel College.

In addition to directing the choir and chairing the division, he teaches choral methods and directs the Voices of Triumph. Bob also is the minister of music at Clay United Methodist Church. Under his tenure, the church choir has grown from 30 to 90 members. Bob is a member of ACDA, ICDA, MENC and IMEA. In 2003 and 2004, he was honored as a member of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. He tours with the Bethel Choir every year.

Under Bob's leadership, the Bethel College choirs have performed at Carnegie Hall three times including a solo concert under Bob's direction. In 2004, the Bethel Choir represented the state of Indiana at The National Cathedral in Washington, DC. In 2003 and 2006, the Voices of Triumph performed for the ICDA summer conference. In February 2008, Voices of Triumph performed at the American Choral Directors Association Central Division convention in Grand Rapids, Mich.

"I feel like I am the most blessed man in the world," Bob states. "Directing choirs and having the privilege of working with colleagues, students, and church family is rewarding beyond description!"

Teaching Interests:
Choir Director, A cappella Ensemble Director, Choral Methods in Music Education, Church Music Ministry, Academic Advisor
Publications and Research:
  • Writer of “The Choir Loft,” a regular feature in “The Christian Sound and Song” magazine
  • Workshop leader for Choral Director and Church Music genres
Awards and Achievements:
  • Professor of the Year, Bethel College, 2008
  • Twice honored as Professor of the Year at Barclay College, Haviland, Kansas
  • Who’s Who of American College Professors, 2004, 2005
Community Involvement:
  • Minister of Music for Clay United Methodist Church
Professional Associations:
  • American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
  • Indiana Choral Directors Association (ICDA)
  • The National Association for Music Educators (MENC)
  • Indiana Music Teachers Association (IMEA)
Personal Interests:
A cappella music of all styles, Church music, Musicals, Fishing, Reading, Antiquing, Swimming, Boating, Playing games
Professional Links:
Zephaniah 3:17:
"The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing."