The University Musical Society Announces Scott Hanoian as new Music Director and Conductor of the UMS Choral Union

The University Musical Society (UMS) announces that Scott Hanoian has been named as the new Music Director and Conductor of the UMS Choral Union, a Grammy Award-winning Ann Arbor-based community choir managed by UMS. This appointment is effective July 1, 2015.

In addition to his new appointment at UMS, Scott Hanoian is currently the Director of Music at Christ Church Grosse Pointe. Career highlights also include artistic director of the Oakland Choral Society; faculty member at Wayne State; assistant organist and assistant director of music at Washington National Cathedral; and a robust career as an international touring musician with performances throughout Europe, Australia, and Canada. He has also recorded the complete organ works of Johannes Brahms for the JAV label.

A graduate of the University of Michigan (BMus '99, MMus '01, MM '01), Scott Hanoian was a student of Robert Glasgow, Theodore Morrison, and outgoing UMS Choral Union director Jerry Blackstone. Blackstone retired from the UMS Choral Union in April 2015 after 12 years of dedicated service; he will continue professorial work at U-M's School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

"The UMS Choral Union is the heart and soul of UMS," said UMS President Kenneth C. Fischer. "The community is most familiar with UMS as a presenter of world-class performing arts experiences, but what many people might not know is that the organization started out when members of four Ann Arbor church choirs joined forces as the Choral Union in 1879 to deepen their connection to each other and to the community through music. Scott Hanoian isn't only an incredibly talented musician and conductor; he has a true vision for the role that music plays in the community and in our lives. The UMS Choral Union is in good hands with Scott Hanoian at the helm."

In a statement about the recent UMS appointment Scott Hanoian stated: "In addition to working with one of the region's finest choral ensembles, it will be incredible to be part of the U-M community once again. U-M and UMS embrace tradition and innovation in equal measure, creating an environment where artistic achievement can flourish. I look forward to joining the UMS Choral Union in the next chapter of their storied history and to becoming part of the UMS family."

Hanoian lives in Grosse Pointe Farms with his wife, Meredith, an accomplished soprano soloist, and their young children. This summer, he will lead the final Summer Sings, a public community group sing that will take place in Ann Arbor's Stamps Auditorium, on Monday, August 3; further details will be announced. Hanoian will make his UMS debut as music director when he conducts Handel's Messiah in December 2015 in Hill Auditorium.

ABOUT UMS CHORAL UNION

The 175-voice UMS Choral Union is known for its definitive performances of large-scale works for chorus and orchestra. Formed by a group of local university and townspeople who gathered together for the study of Handel's Messiah in 1879, the UMS Choral Union has performed with many of the world's distinguished orchestras and conductors in its 137-year history, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and the Mariinsky Orchestra. Notably, in 2006, the UMS Choral Union won three Grammy Awards for their Naxos recording of William Bolcom's Songs of Innocence and of Experience ("Best Choral Performance," "Best Contemporary Classical Composition," and "Best Classical Album"). Open auditions for the UMS Choral Union will take place in late summer of 2015; details to be announced soon at http://ums.org/choralunion.

ABOUT UMS

One of the oldest performing arts presenters in the country, UMS (also known as the University Musical Society) contributes to a vibrant cultural community by connecting audiences with performing artists from around the world in uncommon and engaging experiences. UMS is an independent non-profit organization affiliated with the University of Michigan, presenting over 70 music, theater, and dance performances by professional touring artists each season, along with over 100 free educational activities. UMS is part of the University of Michigan's "Victors for Michigan" campaign, reinforcing its commitment to bold artistic leadership, engaged learning through the arts, and access and inclusiveness.

Photo Courtesy of the UMS

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