The Conductor

Gary R. Schwartzhoff is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where he conducts Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, The Singing Statesmen and teaches conducting. Schwartzhoff received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Central College in Pella, Iowa and a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa. A recipient of the Helen Kemper Doctoral Fellowship Award, he received a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Conducting at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri, where he studied conducting with Dr. Eph Ehly.

Schwartzhoff has been active throughout his professional career in the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) where he served as President of the North Central Division from 1992-94. In 2010, the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association (WCDA) bestowed the Morris Hayes Award for lifetime achievement in the choral art to Schwartzhoff.  In 2007, the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association named Schwartzhoff the Outstanding Church Musician in the state of Wisconsin. Schwartzhoff has presented choirs on twenty-five conventions before the state, divisional and national levels of ACDA and MENC. In February 2009, he conducted the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Choral Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. In 2009, Schwartzhoff was inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma in recognition of scholarship, service, and commitment to student success. In 2011, Schwartzhoff he conducted the Minnesota Men’s All State Choir and the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association Men’s Chorus. Schwartzhoff served as a clinician at Perspectives 2011 in Santa Fe, New Mexico at a national choral workshop. In 2013, Schwartzhoff will conduct the 50^TH Anniversary of the Commemoration of President John F. Kennedy at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.

Schwartzhoff is the artistic director and founding conductor for The Master Singers, a community chamber ensemble with membership from throughout the Greater Chippewa Valley. He serves as Director of Music at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Eau Claire, where he conducts the Chancel Choir. Schwartzhoff has served as guest conductor and adjudicator for numerous choral festivals throughout the United States and Canada. Gary is married to Nancy Schwartzhoff and they have two daughters, Jenifer Morgan (Jerry), and Rebecca Johnson (Andy), and grandchildren, Brady, Alex and Anna.