Roihl officially named music director at GSCS

Daniel K. Roihl ... newly installed GSCS music director

Granite State Choral Society has announced the appointment of Daniel K. Roihl as permanent music director. Roihl has spent the past 20 years sharing his infectious passion for the musical arts with audiences, students, and collaborators of all ages, disciplines, and experience levels, a press release from the choral society noted on Monday.

With a Doctorate in Choral Music, as well as extensive choral directing and performing experience, Roihl directed GSCS, in March, as they premiered their newly commissioned piece, Rochester, at GSCS's Gala Dinner Concert, "River Stones, Rails, and Renaissance: A Rochester Retrospective." That piece was also reprised, along with other selections, in a joint concert with the Strafford Wind Symphony this past May at the Rochester Opera House.

"We are excited that Dan has accepted the position of permanent Music Director," said GSCS President, Liz Tonkins-Agea. "His incredible passion for music has helped all of us become better choral singers. His joy of singing has brought fun to each rehearsal and performance even as he's coaxed us to push harder. The entire chorus is looking forward to next season under his direction."

Roihl was the founding conductor of the Concordia Society chamber choir, the Winthrop House Chamber Choir and Orchestra, and the Deerfield Choral Society, and has also directed the Toscanini Chamber Orchestra, the Elm City Girls Choir, and various choral ensembles at Deerfield Academy, Scripps College, Harvard, Yale, and the University of Southern California. He has served as organist and/or music director at the Lexington United Methodist Church, St. James' Episcopal Church in South Pasadena, and the Congregational Church of Topsfield. As a faculty member at Scripps College, Deerfield Academy, USC, and World Mission University, he has taught courses in conducting, choral literature, and music theory. Roihl holds a bachelor's from Harvard, a master's from Yale, and a doctorate from the University of Southern California.

As a countertenor, Roihl has appeared as a soloist with numerous professional choirs throughout New England and Southern California, performed at early music festivals in Bloomington and Corona del Mar. Despite his active solo career, Roihl has remained continuously devoted to, and engaged in, ensemble performance; he currently sings with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and Boston Cecilia. Also in demand as a composer, Roihl has written commissions for Boston's Youth Pro Musica, the Royal School of Church Musicians, the Harvard University Choir, several churches, and the installation of a past Harvard President.

Mr. Roihl will also be one of the instructors for the GSCS' upcoming Vocal and Choral Workshop to be held Aug. 22 at the Portsmouth Christian Academy in Dover, N.H. This musical educational offering is open to the public but attendee space is limited in order offer more dedicated instruction. Singers of all ages and abilities are welcomed and encouraged to register.

When not making music, Roihl enjoys practicing Bikram yoga, rollerblading, spending time with his dog Russell and gastro-touring the world with his wife Corinna (a professional chef).

Granite State Choral Society is a non-auditioned community chorus dedicated to presenting quality choral performances, ranging in styles from classics to Broadway, and to promoting the appreciation of the choral arts. The members come from all walks of life from ages 12 and up, and range from experienced singers to novices just discovering the joys of choral singing. For more information about the workshop or joining GSCS please call (207) 457-1576 or visit www.gschoralsociety.org.