There’s a new conductor in town.

Brian Winnie has arrived from Philadelphia and has taken over the musical directorship of Burien’s ChoralSounds Northwest.

The 60-member mixed community chorus is known for its popular Christmas and spring concerts at Burien’s Highline Performing Arts Center that intermingle beautiful choral arrangements with fun family fare and entertaining choreography.

The ChoralSounds formula is popular with Highline audiences but the young conductor – he doesn’t turn 30 until April – intends to shake things up a bit.

Usually the Christmas concert features a first act with mainly religious choral arrangements. The second half transitions to more secular holiday music with frequent solos and maybe a little acting.

“We are going to make the concert more of a production with a storyline going forward,” Winnie declared.
He even promises to add videography to the mix.

The title of the Christmas show is “Angels Watching” with the theme of a new family welcoming a child.

ChoralSounds’ general manager, Paul Bauer ,points out the theme lends itself to both a religious and secular interpretation.

In May, Winnie plans a production showcasing music from movie, television and stage shows. But, while the tunes all appeared in one of those shows, they may not have been originally written for them, according to Winnie.

“Mozart didn’t write for ‘Babe,’” Bauer points out.

Bauer is confident that ChoralSounds has finally fond the perfect fit after a multi-year merry-go-round of conductors brought in to replace founder Mark Adrian. Adrian still conducts Northwest Associated Arts’ Cantare Vocal Ensemble. Northwest also encompasses KidSounds, YouthSounds, TeenSounds and SilverSounds choruses.

Winnie moved west to pursue his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree at the University of Washington.
When he conducted a portion of a ChoralSounds rehearsal along with two other finalists, Winnie was the clear choice for the job, according to Bauer.

The community choir has lost some members because of the rapid turnover of conductors but Bauer is confident that Winnie can attract more members.

“When you have a good dynamic director, word gets around and the people come back,” Bauer declared. “Word of mouth is the best way to sell.”

Winnie is holding auditions for new members on Aug. 30. Contact Bauer at nwaapaul@qwest.net for details.
Bauer mentions that more people are involved in choruses, including church choirs, than any other leisure activity.

“A chorus is a family, much like a church community, that cares about you,” Bauer said. “That’s why I am involved.”

Winnie adds, “The ChoralSounds community has certainly welcomed me in.”

Before pursuing his doctorate Winnie taught for seven years in public education and directed multiple high school and middle school choirs.

In 2008, Winnie received the ‘Outstanding Young Conductor Award” presented by the Pennsylvania American Choral Directors Association.