Master Class in Conducting: Faculty

Helmuth Rilling (artistic director and master teacher) is based in Stuttgart, Germany, where he is artistic director of the Internationale Bachakademie. In addition to guest conducting assignments at the world’s leading concert halls, he has directed Bach academies in Argentina, Hungary, Japan, Poland, the Czech Republic, Venezuela, and the former Soviet Union. He has led the Oregon Bach Festival’s Master Class since its inception in 1970.

Thomas Somerville (class director) is Professor Emeritus of Music at Occidental College, where from 1977-2000 he taught conducting and music literature, and directed the Occidental College Glee Club.  He earned his MM in Music History and his DMA in Church Music at the University of Southern California, and was a member of the faculty of the USC Department of Choral and Church Music from 1972-77. In 2002 he returned to USC as Visiting Professor, where he conducted the USC Thornton Chamber Choir and tutored graduate students in conducting. Somerville was Artistic Director and Conductor of the Los Angeles Bach Festival, founded in 1934, from 1981-2001.  He previously served as director and associate teacher of the OBF conducting master class from 1987-2007.

FESTIVAL ARTISTIC STAFF

Anton Armstrong (conductor, OBF Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy) Harry R. and Thora H. Tosdahl Professor of Music and Conductor, St. Olaf College Choir.

Peter Hopkins (OBF assistant chorus master) Director of Music, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Philadelphia.

Kathy Saltzman Romey (OBF choir master) Choral faculty, University of Minnesota; Conductor, Minnesota Chorale.

John Evans (OBF president and executive director) Producer and head of music for BBC Radio 3 from 1993-2006.

H. Royce Saltzman (OBF director emeritus) Past president of the ACDA and International Federation for Choral Music.