Albany Pro Musica, under the leadership of Artistic Director and Conductor David Griggs-Janower, enjoys a distinguished presence in the Capital District’s cultural scene. Now in its 31st season, the chorus is revered for its exceptional mastery of intimate a cappella works while also being critically acclaimed for its presentations of large-scale choral orchestral works.
The group has made many recordings and was one of only 16 choirs selected for inclusion on the 2005 National Public Radio (NPR) CD “Christmas Around the Country.” In 2004 Albany Pro Musica collaborated with the Albany Symphony Orchestra and Composer Michael Torke to record the opera “Strawberry Fields” for mass distribution. Pro Musica has commissioned eight works from American composers and premiered major but little known masterpieces such as Bristow’s “Oratorio of Daniel” and Handel’s “Oratorio of Esther.” Albany Pro Musica performances have aired many times on local radio and NPR.
David Griggs-Janower is artistic director and conductor of Albany Pro Musica and director of choral music and professor at the University at Albany, State University of New York. He studied with Dr. Julius Herford, Fiora Contino and Margaret Hillis. Dr. Griggs-Janower was a staff member of the Aspen Music Festival Choral Institute for ten seasons and the Oregon Bach Festival under Helmuth Rilling for seven summers. He was named Outstanding Conductor of the Year by the NYS American Choral Directors Association in 2003. He has appeared as conductor or clinician at eight ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) conventions, two NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) summer conferences and one NCCO (National Collegiate Choral Organization) Conference.
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