University Professor

Hank Dahlman

Hank Dahlman, D.M.A, is a man with his own sound and is a globally known teacher and musician.

Since his arrival at Wright State in 1992, Dahlman has guided over 20 tours, including four tours of Europe, two appearances each at Carnegie Hall, the National Cathedral and Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, and other venues throughout the Midwest and East Coast. Under his direction, these choirs also competed on a global level in the World Choir Games, earning two silver medals.

“The fact that Wright State music students have had the opportunity to work with internationally known performers … speaks volumes about Hank’s reputation as a musician and his value to our students, our college, our university and our community,” said Paul Lockhart, Ph.D., professor of history and Brage Golding Distinguished Professor of Research.

Dahlman’s area of research includes the pronunciation and diction of Middle High German and Latin languages.

He is an excellent researcher and writer and was producer and host of “VOICES,” a weekly radio program on WDPR for seven years.

His guide, “Choral Pronunciation Guide to the Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana,” has become a global industry standard used to prepare over 150 citations on five continents.

Dahlman “is a superstar, and his work at the university and in the community is equally impressive,” said Kristin Sobolik, Ph.D., dean of the College of Liberal Arts (COLA).

Another hat Dahlman wears is director of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus and the founder of the Dayton Philharmonic Chamber Choir. He has frequently conducted the DPO as a guest conductor in such works as Handel’s “Messiah” and Mozart’s “Requiem” and has conducted throughout the U.S. and in Europe, including at the Salzburg Cathedral, St. Stephan’s Cathedral in Vienna, and the Czech Chamber Orchestra in Prague.

“It’s hard to be around COLA for very long and not be aware of Hank’s presence. He’s everywhere, and the sheer volume of his activities and accomplishments within the university, the Dayton community and even the world is well-nigh astonishing,” Lockhart said.