McMaster University Choir ~ About the McMaster Choir

David Holler is sought after as an orchestral and choral conductor, tenor soloist and private music instructor. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of Western Ontario and then went on to complete a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. As a member of the Westminster Choir, the Westminster Symphonic Choir, and the Westminster Singers, Mr. Holler performed regularly with the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the New Jersey Symphony, as well as being a member of the opera chorus in residence for two summers in the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy, and Charleston, South Carolina. In the Niagara region, Mr. Holler is the founding music director of the Mercredi Musique String Chamber Ensemble & Chorus and has conducted the Peninsula Orchestra and the Niagara Children’s Chorus. He has been a guest conductor with the Westminster Community Orchestra and assistant conductor to the Lawrenceville Community Orchestra in New Jersey. As well as teaching private music lessons in the Niagara area, Mr. Holler is the assistant organist at St. Julia’s Church and is very active as a tenor soloist and accompanist. As a tenor soloist, Mr. Holler has performed with York University’s Professional Opera Training Workshop, and most recently he has had leading roles in Summer Opera Lyric Theatre’s 2005 presentations of Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Haydn’s Il mondo della luna. Mr. Holler has appeared in several solo and chamber music concerts with the Niagara International Chamber Music Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake and continues to perform recitals in the Niagara region.

	McMaster University Choir is the oldest club at the University, dating back more than a centrury to McMaster's time as a Baptist College in Toronto. Since its inception, the choir has grown to more than 100 voices, boasting talents from many members of the academic community, and students from a wide array of faculties. The McMaster Choir's concerts are attended regularly by members of the university community, including many of McMaster's "nobility", as well as residents of Hamilton and the surrounding area. Westdale residents specifically look forward to the Choir's regular concerts, during both the Christmas and Spring seasons.

		David Holler is sought after as an orchestral and choral conductor, tenor soloist and private music instructor. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of Western Ontario and then went on to complete a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. As a member of the Westminster Choir, the Westminster Symphonic Choir, and the Westminster Singers, Mr. Holler performed regularly with the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the New Jersey Symphony, as well as being a member of the opera chorus in residence for two summers in the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy, and Charleston, South Carolina. In the Niagara region, Mr. Holler is the founding music director of the Mercredi Musique String Chamber Ensemble & Chorus and has conducted the Peninsula Orchestra and the Niagara Children’s Chorus. He has been a guest conductor with the Westminster Community Orchestra and assistant conductor to the Lawrenceville Community Orchestra in New Jersey. As well as teaching private music lessons in the Niagara area, Mr. Holler is the assistant organist at St. Julia’s Church and is very active as a tenor soloist and accompanist. As a tenor soloist, Mr. Holler has performed with York University’s Professional Opera Training Workshop, and most recently he has had leading roles in Summer Opera Lyric Theatre’s 2005 presentations of Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Haydn’s Il mondo della luna. Mr. Holler has appeared in several solo and chamber music concerts with the Niagara International Chamber Music Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake and continues to perform recitals in the Niagara region.

	This is Monica's third year as accompanist of the McMaster University Choir, and brings to the position many years of experience, as an accompanist, pianist and organist. In the past, Monica has served as music director in various churches in the Brant-Haldimand area. When not sitting behind the piano, she is either chauffeuring one of her four children around and about, or working at Hamilton District Christian Highschool, where she conducts the Choir and teaches vocal music. In 2003, Monica released her debut cd, Doxology, an album of sacred music for solo piano. bmheeg@sympatico.ca
		Countertenor Zachary Windus is thrilled to make his directorial debut as the new assistant artistic director of the McMaster University Choir. Zachary is in the process of completing his undergraduate degrees in vocal music and geology at McMaster University, where he studies with Richard Cunningham, one of Canada's finest countertenors. His musical background includes extensive choral, vocal, and keyboard training. Zachary sings regularly with the Baroque ensemble Arcady, and has received the organization's highest award for musical achievement. He has also performed with the Hamilton Childrens Choir, the Vox Nouveau Singers, both the McMaster University Choir and Vocal Ensemble, and several church choirs. Zachary currently holds the position of Music Director and Organist at St. Luke's Anglo-Catholic Church in Hamilton. He was recently the recipient of a 2006 McMaster Undergraduate Studnet Research Award, as a result of which he is currently working on a large-scale composition. Zachary is looking forward to a life as an organist, countertenor, composer, and choral director.