Michael Short
Member-at-Large
Class: 1979
Degree: BM
Major: Music Education
Term Expires: 5/31/08

William Michael Short, a Chapman University graduate of 1979, has devoted his life to transforming lives through music. An esteemed music teacher at Orange High School since 1982, he has instilled a passion for music in scores of students. Short is also the choir director at the First United Methodist Church of Orange and leads the Orange Community Choir. Every four years, Short takes his high school concert choir and chamber singers to Europe, going so far as to offer scholarships to make the journey possible. His choirs have appeared in major feature films and have performed for international dignitaries. Short also gives his time and support to students whose talents can be nurtured into greatness. He assists in voice lessons and has helped students enroll at Chapman University to develop their native talents.

Commitment to community is a key value Short acquired while at Chapman. As a result he has worked with the city or Orange on two annual events. Short has led the city’s Tree Lighting and Choir Procession since 1994, which features a 350-voice choir and 60-piece orchestra. It is a tradition that draws roughly 3,000 participants each holiday season. As well, in 1985 he initiated the “Third of July” program featuring the choir, dramatic fireworks and the roar of 3,000 observers. Short also serves as choral director at Rancho Santiago College, where he is developing a choral music program.

In 2004, Mike was honored as Alumnus of the Year by the Chapman Alumni Association.  In 2006, he was named Citizen of the Year by the City of Orange.