DETROIT, MI (March 1, 2004) - Professor Dennis J. Tini recently participated as a featured conductor for the 2003 Argentina International Choral Conducting Conference in Río Gallegos, Argentina (November 29, 2003 December 8, 2003). The conference included conductors, educators and performers from throughout South America. During the 2003 Festival, Professor Tini was also invited to perform in concert as a solo pianist, featuring his original compositions.

Tini served as the featured choral conductor, teaching and directing conductors throughout Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. Professor Tini directed university mixed choruses, men's and women's choruses and children community/professional choruses. In particular, he featured the music of the African American tradition, as well as presenting master classes in conducting for professional conductors and graduate students from throughout South America. Tini participated in additional outreach in El Calafate, Argentina and Buenos Aires.

In 1996 Professor Tini hosted the Leitmotiv Chorus from Argentina, directed by Professor Magdalena Ametareno, at Wayne State University. This women's ensemble participated in rehearsals and master classes with Tini.

Professor Dennis J. Tini is Chairman of the Department of Music and Director of Choral Activities. He is also the Co-founder/Co-director of WSU's Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media Program. Tini is internationally in demand as a conductor, clinician/adjudicator, arts advocate and jazz pianist. Over the past thirty years, he has appeared regularly at major music festivals, universities, and conferences throughout Europe, South Africa, Canada, and the United States.

Tini is past College/University Chair for the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) of Michigan. He conducts the WSU Concert Chorale, Symphonic Chorus and Orchestra and heads the Graduate Program in Choral Conducting. Tini serves as a judge for the ACDA National Conducting Competition and has presented at the National Association of Schools of Music Conference.

Professor Tini has conducted orchestras for Hollywood movies, directed national corporate musical productions, and composed original music for documentaries and commercials. His choral and jazz CD albums have received critical acclaim. He has appeared with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Jon Faddis, Buddy Rich, J.C. Heard, Don Ellis, Marvin Stamm, among others. Professor Tini has taken the WSU Jazz Lab Band, Concert Chorale, Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Jazztet on concert tours throughout Europe.

Tini has chaired National Endowment for the Arts Music Review Panels and served on the United States Information Agency International Arts America Evaluation Committee. He is also Past President of the 9,000 member International Association of Jazz Education (IAJE) and is Founder of the IAJE International Music Relief Effort for South Africa. Tini is the 1996 recipient of the prestigious President's Award for Excellence in Teaching and 1999 President's Exceptional Service Award at Wayne State University.