Robert Long – Music Director, Conductor

Robert Long has completed three seasons as Music Director and Conductor of Ars Musica Chorale. Under his direction, the fifty-voice chorus has expanded its repertory beyond standard classics to include choral landmarks of the twentieth century, folk-influenced music, hymn settings, the Jewish prayer service, and a “rock” cantata, as well as such masterworks as Bach’s St. John Passion and the “Coronation” Mass of Mozart.

Early in his career, Mr. Long was appointed Director of Music at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona, PA, a post he held for seven years. In association with other musicians in the area, he founded the Academy of Sacred Music, which sponsors two music schools for young students, and a week-long choral workshop for choir singers and conductors.

Robert Long came to the New York area to assume the post of Director of Music and Choir Master of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. While there, he conducted the Cathedral Choir and many world-renowned guest artists, including Renée Fleming, Ruth Ann Swenson, Heidi Grant Murphy, Lauren Flanigan, and The American Boychoir. He also conducted the Cathedral Chamber Orchestra, comprising musicians from New York’s leading orchestras. He conducted the nationally televised funeral mass of John Cardinal O’Connor, the installation mass of Archbishop Egan, Holy Week broadcasts, Midnight Masses at Christmas, and many other special events. Mr. Long’s conducting ability was also recognized with an invitation to lead a portion of the annual “Messiah” Sing at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center. While in New York, Mr. Long founded Seraphim, a professional chamber choir. In residence at St. Peter’s Church on Barclay Street in Manhattan, Seraphim has performed at a memorial mass and service every September since 2001. An accomplished pianist, Robert Long has accompanied singers in recital at Weill Recital Hall-Carnegie Hall and, several times, at the Noonday Series at Trinity Church in New York.

Born into a musical family, Robert Long was educated in Pennsylvania colleges and universities. He earned a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting under Douglas Miller, and expanded his conducting education at Westminster Choir College under Robert Shaw, Joseph Flummerfelt, and James Jordan, among other luminaries. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. and serves as Minister of Music for Corpus Christi Parish in Chatham, NJ.

His vocal expertise, conducting skill, teaching experience, and depth of knowledge of both secular and sacred repertories make Robert Long an invaluable asset to Ars Musica Chorale.