Eric Townell, Ph.D.

Known and widely respected as a versatile and dynamic conductor-musician, Maestro Eric Townell joined the Rochester Oratorio Society in 2006, serving as music director -- the third in the ROS's impressive 64-year history. 

Mr. Townell is an experienced and creative conductor of operatic, orchestral and choral repertoire from the Baroque through the 21st Century.  He has appeared to critical acclaim as conductor of the Lincoln, Hershey, Fox Valley (WI), Prince Georges and Adrian Symphony orchestras as well as the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra (CWSO), where he was music director for 10 years. With the CWSO, Townell led a ground breaking series of commissions by American women composers, offered the first Wisconsin performances of works by Henry Brant, Adolphus Hailstork, Daron Hagen, Judith Zaimont and Edgar Meyer and introduced works of standard repertoire that had been overlooked.  He is a strong proponent of collaboration not only between choral and orchestral ensembles, but also across all art disciplines. 

He has conducted youth, family, educational and Pops concerts as well as serving as cover conductor for the Milwaukee and Madison Symphony orchestras. A two-time prizewinner of the International Opera Conducting Course/Competition, he has conducted opera performances throughout the US and Europe. 

Prior to his appointment as Music Director with the ROS, Townell served as music director of the 40-voice Festival Choir of Madison, one of the leading choral ensembles in the country. Over a 12-year tenure, he and the choir produced four live broadcast concerts for Wisconsin Public Radio and three CDs, in addition to regular subscription and tour concerts in Wisconsin. Several new choral works were also commissioned, premiered and recorded including works by Stephen Paulus, Jean Belmont, Elam Ray Sprenkle, Daron Hagen and Elizabeth Alexander.  He is currently music director of the Master Singers of Milwaukee 

Townell holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Peabody Conservatory, as well as degrees in music performance and conducting from Northern Illinois University and Indiana University. He studied conducting and solfege at St. Louis Conservatory and opera conducting with Georg Tintner. He studied with Frederik Prausnitz at Peabody, Charles Bruck at the Monteux School and with Helmuth Rilling as a member of the 2002 Master Class at the Oregon Bach Festival. His festival appearances include the Ost-West Musikfest in Austria and Festival "da Bach à Bartok" in Italy. Eric Townell appears by arrangement with Harwood Management Group, New York, (212) 864-0773.