Gary McKercher, Music Director, San Diego Master Chorale

A Midwesterner by birth and formal education, Gary McKercher first came to California in the early 1970's to earn an advanced degree in choral music at California State University-Fullerton with choral legend, Howard Swan, and later earning the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts at University of Southern California. While in California, he performed as a vocalist with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the William Hall Chorale, the Carmel Bach Festival, and the John Biggs Consort. While in doctoral studies in the 1980's, he conducted the celebrated 'Music at Immanuel' concert series at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Los Angeles.

Over the past thirty years, Dr. McKercher has served on university music faculties in Nebraska, California, Kentucky, Iowa, and Wisconsin, and over that span of time conducted over forty choral/orchestral works. Post-doctoral studies were completed at the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau France in 1987, and most recently with the Tallis Scholars at Oakham, England.

Directly in advance of assuming the post of as San Diego Master Choral music director, he founded and for ten years conducted the Wisconsin Chamber Choir in Madison, Wisconsin which gained a reputation for beauty of tone, technical precision, and creative programming. He now resides in San Diego.