MICHAEL LANCASTER
Conductor and Artistic Director
Dr. Lancaster received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree (Choral Music) from the University of Southern California. He has extensive academic experience including serving as Director of Choral Activities at Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, Associate Professor of Choral and Vocal Music at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, and Director of Choral Activities at Central Missouri State University (now University of Central Missouri), Warrensburg, MO. As a professional chorister/soloist himself, Dr. Lancaster has sung under the direction of many outstanding conductors, most notably Robert Shaw, at the Robert Shaw Institute of Music for many summers in southern France. He also performed in the Robert Shaw Choral Institute at Carnegie Hall. He has also performed under Hellmuth Rilling at the Oregon Bach Festival.
Dr. Lancaster previously served as Music Director of the Asheville Symphony Chorus and the Asheville Symphony Chamber Chorus. In April 2016 he conducted the Asheville Symphony Orchestra & Chorus in a performance of Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass of the Masterwork Series. During his tenure at the Carolina Concert Choir, he has directed concerts featuring the Chichester Psalms by Leonard Berstein, the Lord Nelson Mass by Franz Joesph Haydn, Carols and Lullabies by Conrad Susa, Memorial by Rene’ Clausen, Prayers and Remembrances by Stephen Paulus, LUX by Dan Forrest, and Illuminare by Elaine Hagenberg. He is also Director of Worship and Music at the First Presbyterian Church of Highlands, Highlands, NC, where he conducts the Chancel Choir and the Sacred Sounds Bell Choir.