Edward Norris

Biographical Information:

Edward P. Norris III serves as the director of Choral Music at Glen Cove HS where he conducts the Mixed Chorus, and Select Chorale. He also teaches courses in Music Theory and AP Music Theory. Mr. Norris has directed the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra (MYO) Nassau Chamber Chorale for the past 17 years and is also an adjunct professor at the Aaron Copland School of Music as well as Long Island University teaches classes on choral music education (and conducts the choir at LIU). Mr. Norris is a graduate of the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, where he received both his Bachelor of Arts Degree, and his Masters Degree in Music Education where he studied under the baton of the great Dr. Lawrence Eisman. During Mr. Norris’ tenure at Glen Cove High School, the Mixed Chorus and Select Chorale have only received Gold Medals and Gold Medals with Distinction at the NYSSMA Major Ensemble festivals.

In 2013, the Select Chorale was invited to perform at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama, as well as other invited guests. In January of 2016, Mr. Norris and the Select Chorale performed in a concert tour of Italy which included performances at St. Peter’s Basilica, the Church of San Lorenzo, and the Basilica of St. Francis. While on tour, the Chorale had the distinct honor to perform for His Holiness; Pope Francis at the Feast of the Epiphany at St. Peters. In 2018 the Select Chorale was invited to perform at the prestigious Music For All National Choral Festival with Dr. Andre Thomas and Maestro Stacey Gibbs. In 2023, the Select Chorale performed at the ACDA National Conference in Cincinnati Ohio. In June of 2025 the Chorale went on a concert tour in the UK which included the European premiere of Dr. Jeffrey Ames’ Requiem for Colour as well as a performance of the Music of Ola Gjeilo with Ola Gjeilo at the piano. Both the Mixed Chorus and Select Chorale have performed at some of New York’s most prestigious performance venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and even Citi Field.

Mr. Norris is a contributing author of “Teaching with Heart” by Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand as well as “Teaching Beyond the Music” by Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand and serves on Dr. Ferdinand’s National Education Advisory Team. He, along with Dr. Ferdinand and the team presented two sessions at the 2023 National ACDA Conference. Mr. Norris has also served as the choir chairperson for the NAfME (National Association for Music Education) All Eastern Choir.