Previous Directors

Stephen Black, Conductor

Stephen Black has worked with GNHCC in various capacities since 1995. For two years, he was principal accompanist under conductor and founding director Ronald Konetchy. He served as conductor of the chorus from 1999 to 2002. During his tenure, the chorus continued to perform a wide variety of repertoire and in addition, began to include a cappella literature in its concert programs. He joins the chorus as guest conductor for the 2004 Spring Concert.

Mr. Black received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Louisville. He received the Artist Diploma in organ performance from the Yale School of Music in 1997, where he was awarded the Charles Ives Prize for the most outstanding organ performer. He earned a Master of Musical Arts degree from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music in 1999. He was also the recipient of the Richard French Prize, given to students "considered to be in the top 1% or 2% of candidates in choral conducting in the country." While at Yale, he served as the University Chapel Choir Director at Battell Chapel.

Mr. Black is presently the Director of Music at Saint Joseph's Church Yorkville in New York City. He is also the founder of the Saint Joseph's Choral Society, which presents concerts at Saint Joseph's Church. From 2001–2003, he was chairman of the music department at the Buckley School in the upper east side of Manhattan. Additionally, Mr. Black is the assistant conductor of the New Amsterdam Singers, hailed by The New Yorker Magazine (December 9, 2002) as “the city's leading amateur choir.” He is active as an organ recitalist and has performed at such venues as Washington National Cathedral and Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.