Role

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Conductor

 

Donald Kendrick is a renowned conductor and choral music educator who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on August 22, 1941, in San Francisco, California, Kendrick grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. His father was a professional musician, and his mother was a music teacher. As a child, Kendrick was exposed to a wide range of musical genres, including classical, jazz, and popular music. Kendrick's interest in music began at an early age, and he started playing the piano when he was just five years old. He later learned to play the trumpet and the French horn. In high school, Kendrick was a member of the school band and choir, and he also played in a local orchestra. He went on to study music at San Francisco State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1963. After completing his undergraduate studies, Kendrick began his career as a music educator. He taught music at several high schools in the San Francisco Bay Area before joining the faculty at California State University, Sacramento in 1970. At Sacramento State, Kendrick served as the director of choral activities and taught courses in choral conducting and music education. He also founded the Sacramento State Chamber Singers, a highly acclaimed vocal ensemble that has performed throughout the United States and Europe. Kendrick's reputation as a conductor and choral music educator continued to grow, and he was soon in demand as a guest conductor and clinician. He has conducted numerous choral festivals and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. In 1985, Kendrick was appointed the conductor of the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra, a position he held for 33 years. Under his leadership, the ensemble grew in size and reputation, and it became one of the premier choral organizations in the United States. Kendrick's conducting style is characterized by his attention to detail and his ability to bring out the best in his singers. He is known for his musicality, his sensitivity to the text, and his ability to create a sense of community among his performers. His repertoire is wide-ranging, and he has conducted everything from Renaissance motets to contemporary works. Throughout his career, Kendrick has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 1996, he was awarded the Robert Shaw Conducting Fellowship, which allowed him to study with the renowned choral conductor Robert Shaw. He has also been honored by the American Choral Directors Association, the California Music Educators Association, and the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. One of the highlights of Kendrick's career was his performance at the Vatican in 2000. He conducted the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra in a performance of Mozart's Requiem in St. Peter's Basilica, with Pope John Paul II in attendance. The performance was broadcast on television throughout the world, and it received widespread acclaim. Another notable performance by Kendrick was his conducting of the world premiere of Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna in 1997. The work has since become one of the most frequently performed choral works of the 21st century, and Kendrick's recording of the piece with the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra has received critical acclaim.

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