Dennis Shrock is author of three books published by Oxford University Press and seven books published by GIA Publications, including Creating Excellence in Choirs and Orchestras, Choral Diversity, A Conductor's Guide to Choral/Orchestral Repertoire, and historical performance guides for the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical eras.

He has held faculty positions at Boston University, Westminster Choir College, and the University of Oklahoma, and has served as Artistic Director of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, lecturer and a member of the conducting staff at Yale University, clinician at American Choral Directors Association national conferences, and Assistant Conductor and Choral Director of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

He has received a number of awards and recognitions 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 state of Oklahoma conferred on him a citation for Contributions of Excellence, and the University of Oklahoma granted him two Distinguished Lectureships and named him a Presidential Professor.

Dr. Shrock received a bachelor’s degree in music education from Westminster Choir College and both master’s and doctoral degrees in choral conducting from Indiana University.

Workshops

Programming - Music Education

A presentation of ideas and materials that aid in the formation of effective choral performances. Topics include: choosing repertoire based on singer skills and needs, audience accessibility, and administrative expectations; designing programs for aesthetic unity and optimum impact; organizing repertoire for effective flow; and considering the importance and value of the visual aspect of performance.

Repertoire - Music Education

A survey of choral repertoire with an emphasis on quality historical repertoire that is accessible to singers and audiences and on lesser-known works that are of high artistic merit.

Performance Practices in the Baroque and Classical Eras - Music Education

A presentation of information drawn from primary sources about conventions of performance that were prevalent throughout the Baroque and Classical eras. Topics of performance will include: vocal production, vibrato, pitch, tempo, articulation, phrasing, metric accentuation, rhythmic alteration, and ornamentation. References will be made to the music of J. S. Bach, G. F. Handel, and Antonio Vivaldi (Baroque era), and to Joseph Haydn, W. A. Mozart, and Franz Schubert (Classical era).

America’s Choral Heritage - Music Education

A chronicle of choral organizations in the United States and a discussion of choral singing throughout our country’s history, with a focus on particular areas of interest, including: church choirs, community choral societies and choral festivals, choral music in public schools and private academies, college and university choral programs, children’s choirs, professional ensembles, and/or symphonic choirs.