Chicago Choral Artists announce new Artistic Director

 

The board of directors of the Chicago Choral Artists is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael D. Costello as their new Artistic Director.

 

Michael Costello, Maywood, IL, is the Cantor at Grace Lutheran Church and School in River Forest, IL, where he also directs the church’s Bach Cantata Vespers ministry and is the founder and director of the Bach Cantata Camp for high school singers and string players. In March of 2013 Mr. Costello conducted Grace Lutheran’s Bach Cantata Vespers Chorus and Orchestra in their first performance of the Bach St. Matthew Passion. He is a composer of music for both choir and organ, and known for creative hymn improvisations and sensitive service playing.

 

Mr. Costello holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sacred Music from Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC, and a Master of Divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.  In 1999 he won both the Ruth and Paul Manz award and the Region IV Young Organists Competition of the American Guild of Organists. Mr. Costello is currently President of Region 3 of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians and is an active member of the American Guild of Organists, and the American Choral Directors Association.

 

Chicago Choral Artists, a 32-voice professional vocal ensemble, was founded in 1975 as the James Chorale, and looks forward to its 39th season in 2014-2015. The ensemble, honored in 2013 by CBS Chicago as one of Chicago’s best choirs, presents outstanding performances of classical masterworks, new compositions, commissions, music of the world’s many cultures, and informed interpretations of early music. Mr. Costello was guest conductor for the group’s March 2014 concert set Music for Mourning, Music for Hope, including music of Monteverdi, J.S. Bach, Billings, Barber, and Proulx.

 

Concert dates, venues, and repertoire for the 2014-2015 season will be announced shortly.

 

Michael Costello and Chicago Choral Artists are on Facebook and the web:

 

http://michaeldcostello.com/