John William Trotter

John William Trotter’s wide experience as a conductor has ranged from a full-time position with Canada’s most active professional choir to work with all manner of community-based amateur ensembles. He has conducted professional choirs and orchestras on three continents and in national broadcasts, and has led musical improvisation workshops for those without any prior musical training. Trotter earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from the University of Michigan, and is currently a professor at the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music (Chicago), where he conducts the select SATB ensemble and teaches conducting. He is well known for his ability to connect with audiences and for his interest in building bridges between the professional music world, music training institutions, and the wider community. He has become recognized for his pre-concert talks and concert demonstrations, during which he particularly enjoys convincing "non-musicians" of their innate musicality. Trotter takes great pleasure in introducing audiences to traditional canonical works through invigorated, committed performances, as well as in expanding ensembles’ range to include new music, jazz, film scores, and other genres. His passions off the podium range from work as a conducting teacher, clinician, adjudicator, and composer/arranger to various forms of outreach and advocacy as a consultant, writer, and speaker. Johnwilliamtrotter.com.