CONCORA Names Dr. Christopher Shepard as our Next Artistic Director

CONCORA's Board of Directors is delighted to announce the appointment of Christopher Shepard as its second Artistic Director, succeeding Artistic Director Emeritus Richard Coffey, who founded the ensemble as the region's first all-professional choir in 1974. The ensemble has been led by guest conductors during the 2014-2015 season, as a national search was conducted to identify Maestro Coffey's successor. Dr. Shepard will assume leadership of the ensemble starting with the soon-to-be announced 2015-2016 season.

Dr. Shepard's appointment is the culmination of a two-year national search that began when Maestro Coffey announced in 2013 that he would step down as CONCORA's Artistic Director at the conclusion of the 2013-2014 season (his, and CONCORA's, fortieth). From some 55 qualified applicants, the Search Committee selected three finalists who led CONCORA in concerts in late 2014. The Committee's unanimous recommendation that Dr. Shepard be appointed was unanimously endorsed by CONCORA's Board of Directors.

Dr. Shepard is currently Music Director of the Worcester (MA) Chorale, and The Dessoff Choirs of New York City.