The board of directors of Choral Arts of Chattanooga has chosen Michael Devine to be the new artistic director. Mr. Devine moved to Chattanooga earlier this year to become the new director of music at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church. The former artistic director of Choral Arts, Keith Reas, stepped down this spring in order to devote more time to organ practice and concerts.
Mr. Devine's musical career began as a member and soloist with the Vienna Boys' Choir. After finishing the Bachelor of Music with concentrations in conducting and voice at the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, Mr. Devine completed the Master of Sacred Music at Luther Seminary and St. Olaf College, where he studied church music with Paul Westermeyer and John Ferguson, and choral conducting with Christopher Aspaas and Anton Armstrong.
Mr. Devine has also served as assistant conductor of the Two Rivers Chorale, as a baritone soloist in works by Bach and Gilbert and Sullivan, as an adjudicator at music festivals, as a workshop leader, and in music ministries in a variety of churches.
Mr. Devine is already busy choosing the repertoire for the Choral Arts Christmas and spring concerts for the coming season. Auditions for both old and new singers for Choral Arts will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Chattanooga on Tuesday, Aug. 26, and Tuesday, Sept. 2, from 7-10 p.m. For further details please contact Mr. Devine at MichaelConducts@gmail.com.