Last modified: Friday, June 18, 2010
IU Jacobs School of Music professor named Music of the Baroque chorus director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2010
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- William Jon Gray, assistant professor and incoming chair of the Choral Department at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, has been appointed chorus director of Chicago's Music of the Baroque, effective with the opening if its 2010-2011 season Sept 26.
"William Jon Gray has wide-ranging experience as a conductor as well as strong practical knowledge and deep love of Music of the Baroque's signature repertoire," said executive director Karen Fishman. "As we approach our upcoming 40th-anniversary concert season, we are delighted that he will lead the ensemble's chorus into its fifth decade of music-making."
Gray prepared the Music of the Baroque Chorus for its acclaimed performances of Mozart's Requiem last February. He served for three seasons as associate conductor of the Carmel Bach Festival in California and as interim conductor of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. As artistic director of the Bach Chorale Singers, he has received high praise for his performances of major choral/orchestral works.
Gray served as artistic director of the Masterworks Chorus and Orchestra of Washington, D.C., from 1986 to 1993. He has been assistant conductor of the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston and has appeared as guest conductor with the National Chamber Orchestra, the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra and the Handel and Haydn Society.
Working frequently with late conductor Robert Shaw, Gray appeared as a member of the Robert Shaw Festival Singers in recordings and concerts in France, and in concerts at Carnegie Hall.
From its church choir roots, Music of the Baroque has grown to be the Midwest's premier professional chorus and orchestra specializing in the performance of eighteenth-century works.
For more about the Jacobs School of Music, visit https://music.indiana.edu.