Meet the director:  Artistic Director and Conductor, Dr. Harry Mechell

     Dr. Mechell’s career as a teacher and conductor has combined the goals of music education with the high principles of professional performance.  As Director of Choral Activities at Winona State University, Dr. Mechell conducts the Concert Choir, Women’s Chorus, and Chamber Vocal Ensemble. He also teaches voice, conducting and choral methods. Dr. Mechell has distinguished himself within the community with a following that enjoys his annual Messiah Sing-Ins, Renaissance Madrigal Banquets and Dessert Theatre productions.
   

      Within the community, Dr. Mechell serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Winona Oratorio Chorus and as the Music Director for the musical theatre productions of Home and Community Options. During his career, he has served as choir director at many churches, specializing in preparing choral-orchestral works.
     

     Celebrated for his energetic personality and creative programming, Dr. Mechell is widely known as a specialist in choral rehearsal techniques and has served as the Southeast MN Choral Representative on the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Board of Directors. During a forty-five year teaching career, he has taught and conducted choirs at all levels. While his choirs have toured Western Europe and have sung at MENC Conventions, Dr. Mechell has drawn acclaim as a conductor, teacher and choral clinician.