CHRIS ALBANESE, Director, Akron Symphony Chorus
Chris Albanese is an assistant professor of choral conducting at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where he conducts the Grammy-nominated Singing Hoosiers, and teaches courses in choral conducting.
Chris came to the university by way of San Francisco, where he was a member of the Grammy award-winning ensemble Chanticleer. As a member of Chanticleer, he performed in venues ranging from Los Angeles’ Disney Concert Hall to Vienna’s Musikverein. The ensemble’s performances and interviews were broadcast on nationwide NPR affiliates, Russia’s Mariinsky network, and the Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family program. An active soloist and recitalist, Chris has also performed with the Dayton Opera, Cincinnati Bach Festival, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Ars Musica Chicago, Berkshire Choral Festival, Lorin Maazel’s Castleton Festival, and as tenor soloist for the world premiere of Dominick DiOrio’s Ding Dong Bell.
As a conductor, Chris’ most recent work includes conducting and preparing collaborations with Sandi Patty, Sylvia McNair, the Indianapolis Opera, Ft. Wayne Philharmonic, and Carmel Symphony. While at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, he conducted the University of Cincinnati Men’s Chorus, prepared the Men’s and Women’s Choruses for the North American university premiere of Arthur Honegger’s Joan of Arc at the Stake, and served the school’s Opera Department in the roles of chorus master and assistant conductor.
A passionate educator, Chris has facilitated master classes throughout the United States and Europe. He has served as a presenter, clinician, and adjudicator for the Indiana Music Education Association, Indiana State School Music Association, Ohio Music Education Association, Music America, Chanticleer Youth Choral Festival, and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati; commonly presenting on topics related to vocal pedagogy and their application in the choral setting. Chris also exhibits a keen interest in the music of Ibero-America, with special focus on the extant masses and motets of Juan Gutierrez de Padilla.
Chris is a fervent advocate of popular and syncretic music styles, and their incorporation within the choral medium. His own varied musical experiences include work as a keyboardist in the Chicago-based Chris Buehrle Band, lead tenor saxophone with the Dayton Jazz Ensemble, and study of raga and basic Hindustani vocal technique with Stefan Fiol and Kanika Pandey.
Chris received his bachelor’s degree in music education and vocal performance from the University of Dayton, a master’s in vocal performance from Northwestern University, and a doctorate in choral conducting from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.