![Portrait image of Christopher Petit](/sites/default/files/styles/person_detail_large/public/2023-11/PetitChristopherWeb.jpg?itok=ozHexIkw)
Director of Choirs
DMA, Organ Performance and Literature, Eastman School of Music
M.M., Organ Performance and Literature, Eastman School of Music
B.A., Art History, The College of Wooster
MUS 140/240/340/440: Concert Choir
MUS 145/245/345/445: Chamber Choir
MUS 413: Beginning Conducting
Chris is excited to begin new endeavors and musical collaborations in Erie since he arrived in 2023 to serve as director of music at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul.聽 In Rochester, NY, he conducted choruses at the Rochester Institute of Technology, led the Genesee Valley Orchestra and Chorus, served the Eastman Community Music School鈥檚 youth choruses, and sang and recorded with the professional, historical performance practice ensemble, Christ Church Schola Cantorum.聽
Trained at the Eastman School of Music in pipe organ and conducting, Chris also enjoyed performing and recording as a collaborative keyboardist on modern and historical pianos, harpsichord, and organ.聽 As an art history major in undergrad, he earned a grant for his honors thesis on the liturgical use and meaning of the labyrinth at Chartres cathedral.聽
2023: Selected repertoire and conducted singers for WQLN鈥檚 first installment of the 鈥淐hronicles鈥 documentary series on H.T. Burleigh.聽 Chris is currently preparing for future recording sessions with Erie鈥檚 PBS station on the history and legacy of Burleigh. 聽聽
December 2022: Conducted the Rochester, NY premiere of Margaret Bond鈥檚 Ballad of the Brown King, poetry by Langston Hughes, in the original scoring for chorus and orchestra.
Conducted American premieres of works by Cecilia McDowall: Everyday Wonders: The Girl from Aleppo (premiere as scored for both adult and children鈥檚 choirs); Da Vinci Requiem; and, Photo 51.