Brian Clissold
BM, Western Michigan University, Music Education
MM, Butler University, Conducting
Hometown: Marshall, MI
Current residence: Hightstown, NJ
An accomplished conductor, Brian Clissold has had great success specializing in community-based choirs throughout the Midwest. He was recently appointed as Artistic Director of the Hopewell Valley Chorus (Hopewell, NJ) and previously served as the Artistic Director of The Celebration Singers (Cranford, NJ). As a baritone, he is a founding member of the professional New York based ensemble, Manhattan Chorale. He performs regularly in renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall and has sung numerous roles in oratorios, masses, and operas. He has also been a frequent clinician and adjudicator in Michigan, Indiana, New Jersey, and New York.
Prior to moving to the Northeast, Brian led the Vivace Youth Singers of Fort Wayne (IN), the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, and the Fort Wayne Youth Symphony. From 2008 to 2010, Brian worked with the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, establishing and conducting the Lebanon (IN) Regional Satellite Choir and working closely with Henry Leck and Ruth Dwyer. For 11 years, he served the Music Center of South Central Michigan as conductor of both the Battle Creek Girls’ Chorus and Community Chorus where he prepared numerous choral-orchestral works for performance.