Eugene Branstrom, Conductor

Eugene Branstrom, currently in his eighteenth year as conductor of the Cantate! chamber ensemble, has been directing choirs and training singers in Michigan for over 57 years. He received his bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University and his Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan. Honored as the 1983 Michigan High School Honors Choir Director, Mr. Branstrom taught in the New Haven and Birmingham public schools. His high school choirs consistently won first division honors at the advanced level; they also toured to the British Isles and Europe, including private concerts in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, the Duomo in Florence, and St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. In 1972, with a grant from Reader’s Digest, Mr. Branstrom led a memorable three-week concert tour to Romania and Czechoslovakia - at that time, behind the Iron Curtain - as guests of the Romanian government, pioneering as “Friendship Ambassadors” in an ongoing outreach program.

Mr. Branstrom is a Member Emeritus of the Michigan School Vocal Music Association, for which he served as a full board member for many years. He has also directed the New Haven Community Chorus and the Bel Canto Choral Society in Southfield, as well as numerous area church choirs, including Advent Episcopal Church. The students in his private voice studio regularly receive first division ratings at state festivals, and many former students are currently professional singers and performers or music teachers throughout the United States, the British Isles and Europe.

Updated Thursday, October 29, 2009 0:32 AM