Marion G. van der Loo comes to choral conducting through a long tradition of choral/vocal music. She gained her knowledge of choral repertory through more than thirty years as both soloist and chorister with performing organizations on the East Coast and in the Midwest. She is presently in her eighth season as Director of the Illinois Symphony Chorus and Director of Music of the First Presbyterian Church, Springfield, IL.
At the Settlement Music School and Conservatory in Philadelphia, PA, Marion conducted a 30-voice chamber chorus, which she also founded. She served as Chorus Master of Opera Delaware, as well as for the Opera Theatres of Temple University and the University of Illinois. Other positions include tenure as acting Director of the Choral Department at Smith College, where she conducted the 100-voice Glee Club and the 24-voice Chamber Chorus.
For 4 years, Marion conducted a chorus of 180 children for the distinguished Springside School in Philadelphia. In addition, she has directed music programs at several large churches, until her present joint appointment with the Illinois Symphony and the First Presbyterian Church. During her three years as Director of the Kankakee Valley Symphony Chorus, she had occasion to conduct the chorus with both Symphony and Chamber orchestras.
Marion is sought after as a teacher of voice. She is also an adjudicator for both choral and vocal competitions and scholarship auditions as well as for guest conducting appearances.
She completed a doctoral residency in Choral Conducting at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her private studies have been with, among others, the late Margaret Hillis of the Chicago Symphony Chorus; Vance George, of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus; and Dale Warland, of the Dale Warland Singers.
Chorus Music Director
