Rogue Valley Chorale Welcomes Artistic Director Michael Morris

October 9, 2018

The Rogue Valley Chorale Association welcomes incoming Artistic Director/Conductor Michael Morris. Mr. Morris moved from Cupertino, CA to the Rogue Valley upon accepting the Artistic Directorship position in August of 2018. He is the fourth director to lead the Rogue Valley Chorale Association since its founding forty-six years ago. 

The Rogue Valley Chorale Association Board of Directors began the search for a new Artistic Director in Januaryof 2018. After reviewing a stack of applications and conducting several interviews Mr. Morris rose to the surface as an exceptionalcandidate.

Michael Morris’ inaugural season includes a holiday performance on December 1st and 2nd featuring both the Bach and Schubert Magnificat including 125 voices, the Rogue Valley Chorale Chamber Orchestra, featured soloists from the Chorale and community, plus selected Marion works and holiday favorites. The March 23rd and 24th Winter concert features a commissioned piece by award winning composer Joseph Julian Gonzalez. The world premiere of this new work celebrates the Aztec Flower World, a place of immense beauty described in an Ancient Aztec manuscript known as “Cantares Mexicanos.” The concert will be performed in both Medford, Oregon and in Burns, Oregon in collaboration with the Paiute people who are members of the Aztec language family. The final concert of the season showcases the music of Broadway icon Cole Porter on May 4th and 5th. The concert includes a lively performance of Porter’s most popular songs accompanied by a jazz instrumental combo. The talented Chorale singers will perform Cole Porter’s beloved songs as choral arrangements, duets, trios, and classic solos. 

Michael Morris has an extensive 40-year history as a voice teacher, college professor and a performer in both Opera and musical theater. He has conducted multiple college, church and community choruses and served on the music faculty at Holy Names College, Notre Dame de Namur University, Ohlone College, Santa Clara University, and De Anza College. Michael has been the Music Director and Conductor for the Mission Peak Chamber Singers, Lyric Theatre of San Jose, Los Altos Conservatory Theater, Los Altos United Methodist, Saint Jude’s Episcopal Church in Cupertino, and Saint Simon’s Catholic Church in Los Altos, California. He has performed the leading roles in over 80 operas, operettas, and musicals with Opera San Jose, West Bay Opera, and Rogue Valley Opera. He is a frequent soloist for concert work with large orchestras and choral organizations. A voice teacher for over 40 years, he was known as a “teacher’s teacher,” having instructed many professional singers and music teachers. He is an experienced clinician for voice, opera, and choral workshops.
 

Michael received his Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from Notre Dame de Namur University and his Bachelor of Music Degree from San Francisco State University. He studied opera at the American Institute of Music Studies in Graz, Austria where he received the George London Award for Vocal Performance.

For over four decades the Rogue Valley Chorale Association has been at the heart of the arts scene in Southern Oregon. The 300 members who make up the Chorale are adult and youth singers with diverse musical backgrounds including professional singers, actors, music educators and gifted vocalists who simply love to sing. 

For more information visit: https://www.roguevalleychorale.org