G. Phillip Shoultz III to VocalEssence

VocalEssence has selected G. Phillip Shoultz III as its new associate conductor—a newly created full-time position. He replaces Sigrid Johnson, who announced her retirement in February 2015. Winner of the 2015 National American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Graduate Conducting Competition, Shoultz is pursuing a doctorate degree in conducting at the University of Minnesota, where he conducts two choral ensembles. He recently was awarded an F. Melius Christiansen Graduate Study Scholarship by the Minnesota chapter of ACDA, participated in the inaugural Weimar Bach Cantata Academy with Helmuth Rilling, and was selected as one of six conducting fellows for the Oregon Bach Festival this summer. He is director of music, worship, and the arts for Good Samaritan United Methodist Church.

Shoultz earned degrees from the University of Georgia (BA and BM) and Georgia State University (MM). In Atlanta he served as artistic director to the Gwinnett Choral Guild and a youth organization, Atlanta Institute for Musicianship and Singing, as founding director of the Georgia Young Men’s Ensemble, and as assistant director for Coro Vocati. 

Shoultz’s first official foray as VocalEssence associate conductor will be the “Dreams of the Fallen” concert in October. He will also serve as artistic leader for the VocalEssence WITNESS and ¡Cantaré! programs, rehearse with the Chorus and Ensemble Singers, and conduct the 2015–16 “River Songs and Tales” tour. For information: vocalessence.org.