Role

:

Conductor

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Anton Armstrong is a renowned conductor and choral musician who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on October 2, 1953, in New York City, Armstrong grew up in a musical family and was exposed to music from an early age. His father was a jazz musician, and his mother was a church organist, which helped to shape his musical interests and aspirations. Armstrong attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance. He later went on to earn a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During his time at St. Olaf College, Armstrong was a member of the renowned St. Olaf Choir, which helped to shape his passion for choral music. After completing his studies, Armstrong began his career as a choral conductor, working with various choirs and ensembles across the United States. In 1988, he was appointed as the conductor of the St. Olaf Choir, a position he held for over two decades. Under his leadership, the choir gained international recognition for its exceptional performances and recordings. Armstrong has also served as the conductor of the Oregon Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. He has conducted numerous performances with these ensembles, including works by Bach, Handel, Mozart, and Beethoven. One of Armstrong's most notable performances was his conducting of the St. Olaf Choir at the White House in 1994. The choir was invited to perform for President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton, and Armstrong's leadership helped to make the performance a great success. In addition to his work as a conductor, Armstrong is also a respected educator and has taught at various institutions, including St. Olaf College, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the University of Oregon. He has also served as a guest conductor and lecturer at numerous universities and music festivals around the world. Throughout his career, Armstrong has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 2006, he was awarded the Weston Noble Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Choral Arts, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the choral music community. He has also received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from St. Olaf College and the Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Armstrong's recordings with the St. Olaf Choir have received critical acclaim and have been recognized with numerous awards, including a Grammy nomination for Best Choral Performance in 2006. He has also recorded with the Oregon Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his work as a conductor and educator, Armstrong is also a dedicated advocate for diversity and inclusion in the arts. He has worked to promote the inclusion of underrepresented groups in classical music and has been a vocal advocate for the importance of diversity in the arts. In conclusion, Anton Armstrong is a highly respected conductor and choral musician who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His passion for choral music and his exceptional leadership have helped to shape the careers of countless musicians and have inspired audiences around the world.

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