ROBERT TROCCHIA
Artistic director of the critically-acclaimed Lancaster Chorale since 1986, Robert Trocchia is known for innovative programming, imaginative collaborations and the unique ‘pure sound’ which is the hallmark of his approach to the choral art. With an extensive background in academia, Trocchia served as director of music for the Fairfield Union Schools, and director of choral activities for Ohio University-Lancaster; his forty-nine year career in education was highlighted by being named one of America’s top educators and also by his recent induction into the Ohio University Gifted Education Hall of Fame.
A student then colleague of Norman Luboff, his preparation has included study sessions with the world’s finest choral musicians, including Michael Korn, Robert Page, Elmer Iseler, Sir David Willcocks and Dale Warland, the latter an honorary member of the Chorale Board, with whom he consults regularly. Trocchia has conducted twenty-two world premiere performances by composers such as Luboff, Page, Kirke Mechem, Jackson Berkey, Jeffrey Van and Stephen Caracciolo; his Chorale recordings of Barber’s ADAGIO, Martin’s MASS, Howell’s REQUIEM and Allegri’s MISERERE MEI, DEUS are frequently heard on National Public Radio. Priding himself in diversity, he has collaborated with nationally-recognized Jazz, Gospel, Bluegrass and Celtic artists. For twenty seasons, he has prepared choirs for Gary Sheldon, artistic director of the Lancaster Festival, and recently prepared the choir for Columbus Pro Musica’s epic, fully-staged version of Bernstein’s MASS.
Groups under his direction have performed at cathedrals and performance venues world-wide, including Notre Dame Cathedral, Cologne Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, St. John the Divine, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Lincoln Center for Performing Arts and historic Biltmore Estate. A graduate of Ohio University, member of American Choral Directors Association, past member of both the Music Advisory Panel of the Ohio Arts Council, and National Advisory Board of Creative Arts Workshops, Trocchia is active as a clinician-consultant throughout Eastern North America. He and wife, Carol, live in Bremen, Ohio and have three grown children, all involved professionally in the Arts.