Role

:

Conductor Performer

Birth

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December 27, 1960 in Hilltown, PA

 

Donald Nally is a renowned conductor, composer, and educator in the field of classical music. He was born on December 9, 1960, in Easton, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a musical family. His father was a church organist, and his mother was a choir director, which exposed him to music at an early age. Nally attended Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. He later pursued a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting at Indiana University, where he studied under the tutelage of renowned conductor and composer, Julius Herford. After completing his studies, Nally began his career as a choral conductor, working with various choirs and ensembles across the United States. He served as the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he conducted the University Chorus and Chamber Choir. He also served as the Artistic Director of the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia, where he led the ensemble in numerous performances of classical choral works. In 2003, Nally founded The Crossing, a professional chamber choir based in Philadelphia. The ensemble quickly gained recognition for its innovative programming and exceptional performances, earning critical acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Under Nally's leadership, The Crossing has become one of the most respected and sought-after choral ensembles in the world. Nally's work with The Crossing has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. In 2018, the ensemble won a Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance for their recording of "The Fifth Century" by Gavin Bryars. The album, which features Nally conducting The Crossing and the PRISM Quartet, was praised for its "stunningly beautiful" performances and "impeccable" sound quality. In addition to his work with The Crossing, Nally has also collaborated with other prominent classical music organizations, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic. He has conducted world premieres of works by some of the most celebrated composers of our time, including David Lang, Caroline Shaw, and Ted Hearne. Nally is also an accomplished composer, with works commissioned and performed by numerous ensembles and organizations. His compositions have been described as "hauntingly beautiful" and "deeply moving," and have been praised for their innovative use of choral textures and harmonies. In addition to his work as a conductor and composer, Nally is also a dedicated educator. He has served on the faculties of several universities, including Northwestern University and the University of Pennsylvania, where he currently teaches. He is also a sought-after guest lecturer and clinician, and has conducted masterclasses and workshops for choral conductors and singers around the world. Throughout his career, Nally has remained committed to pushing the boundaries of classical music and exploring new ways of creating and performing choral works. His innovative programming and exceptional performances have earned him a reputation as one of the most influential and visionary figures in the world of classical music today.

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