Larry Bach, Guest Conductor
Larry Bach currently serves as the Department Chair of Fine Arts at North Central University (Minneapolis, MN) where he directs the choral program and teaches voice and conducting. Bach received his Vocal Performance Degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College, and his Master of Music in Conducting from the University of Minnesota. He is currently a doctoral candidate in conducting at the University of Iowa. He has also studied at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria.
For five years, Bach sang with the Dale Warland Singers, and also has been an assistant conductor on several projects, including the 2002 recording, "Christmas with the Dale Warland Singers". Bach has also sung under prominent conductors such as Helmuth Rilling, Eric Erickson, and Robert Shaw. Bach has traveled extensively throughout the United Sates as a church music clinician and guest conductor. He appeared at a guest conductor festival at Carnegie Hall and was selected by the Minnesota Music Educator's Association to direct the 2004-2005 Minnesota All State Mixed Choir. The North Central University Chorale has appeared at several conventions of the Minnesota American Choral Director's Association and has toured Europe, Israel, and Southeast Asia. In 2001, the Chorale performed at Carnegie Hall under Bach's direction.
Michael Smith, Festival Voice Teacher (Guest Conductor in 2003)
Michael Smith, in his nineteenth year at Brainerd Senior High School, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Olaf College, a Master of Arts in Music degree from the University of Northern Colorado, and has completed all but the dissertation for his Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Minnesota.
In 1989, Smith was named Brainerd Teacher of the Year and was one of nine finalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year. He was also honored to be named the 1990 Minnesota Music Educators Association Choral Director of the Year and the 1999 Minnesota American Choral Directors Association Choral Director of the Year.
Smith has served on the Executive Board of MMEA and was the President of Minnesota American Choral Directors Association. He is very active as a choral clinician and voice teacher. He likes to think of his choirs as large voice classes where individuals can learn how to properly use their voices as they sing great literature.
In 1997, Smith was given the distinction of being the first Minnesota high school choral director to conduct the Minnesota All-State Men's Chorus. He is an active member of NEA, BUE, MENC, MMEA, and ACDA. He also has the privilege of directing the Senior Choir at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa, Minnesota.
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