Karle
Erickson
Dr.
Karle Erickson, Artistic Director and Conductor
of World Voices, the Twin Cities based choral ensemble
that specializes in performing exclusively global music ,
is internationally known for his excellence as a choral
conductor, clinician and educator. He has conducted over 475 choral
festivals and clinics, all-state and honors choirs and church
music festivals across the United States and internationally.
He has been one of two American conductors for the Prague International
Choral Festival and Competition in the Czech Republic, and is
the Choir Director at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Eden Prairie,
Minnesota. When asked what continues to provide the excitement
in working with World Voices , Dr. Erickson responded:
"It is the professional energy and artistic stimulation that comes
from working with singers, collaborators and instrumentalists
representing the different cultures and countries. Each concert
presents new artistic and educational opportunities as well as
unique challenges."
Prior
to founding World Voices in 1996, his professional career
included serving from 1967-80 as Director of Choral Studies at
Lawrence University Conservatory of Music; and Professor of Music
at Gustavus Adolphus College, from 1980-94. Subsequently he was
Interim Conductor of the Bach Society of Minnesota and National
Lutheran Choir in Minneapolis. A graduate of St. Olaf College,
Dr. Erickson holds Master's and Doctorate Degrees from the School
of Music, University of Illinois. His choral arrangements are
published by Kjos Music and Augsburg Fortress, GIA Publications
and MorningStar Music Publishers. Earthsongs will soon offer two
of his arrangements of Chilean Folk Songs. A set of vocalises
for choral singers of all ages entitled Choral Warm-ups from
A to Z: Singing Dr. Seuss's ABC is issued by Hinshaw Music,
Inc.
He
is a life member of ACDA and active in the International Federation
for Choral Music, having served as a presenter of African and
South American choral music at the Sixth World Symposium on Choral
Music in Minneapolis. He is a recipient of the F. Melius Christiansen
Lifetime Achievement Award presented by ACDA of Minnesota.
Choral
music by Karle Erickson