Biography

Dennis Shrock has combined the roles of educator, conductor, and author throughout his distinguished career.

As educator, he led the preeminent graduate program in choral conducting at the University of Oklahoma for twenty-seven years and also served on the faculties of Westminster Choir College, Boston University, University of Delaware, and TCU. In addition, he has held residencies at the University of Mississippi, University of Colorado, University of Miami, SMU, and USC, and has been invited to present lectures at Yale University as well as numerous keynote speeches at American Choral Directors national conferences.

As conductor, he has served as Artistic Director of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale and Canterbury Choral Society of Oklahoma City, Assistant Conductor of the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra, Interim Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and conductor of All-State choruses in Arizona, Delaware, Nevada, and New York. Sample reviews of his work have commented, “Taste, elegance, and sensitivity were reflected in everything from program choice to performance” and “Shrock exhibits a careful guiding hand, coupled with the kind of scholarly dedication that has made his Chorale tenure so fruitful.”

As author, Dr. Shrock has written three books for Oxford University Press, including Choral Repertoire (first and second editions), called “the essential source for both quick reference and extended study of choral music,” and Choral Monuments, “an indispensable addition to the literature on choral music.” Books for GIA Publications include studies on the performance practices of music from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical eras, and Creating Excellence for Choirs and Orchestras, which “uncovers the key factors and proven strategies that lead to the achievement of excellence in music ensembles at any level.”

Dr. Shrock has been called one of the very top choral scholars in the United States and has received a number of awards for his work. The city of Santa Fe declared December 22, 2003 “Dennis Shrock Day,” Westminster Choir College granted him an Alumni Merit Award, the Governor of Oklahoma conferred on him a citation for Contributions of Excellence, and the University of Oklahoma accorded him two Distinguished Lectureships and named him a Presidential Professor.